So, you have made the decision to remodel your home. Kitchen remodeling is one of the first rooms that homeowners explore with regard to renovations. The kitchen is the main gathering place in the home for families and friends. It is the area where socialization happens frequently, so it makes perfect sense to choose to remodel this room in your home first. The project can be extremely fun and should be looked upon as such. There are so many small changes that can be made to completely transform this room that it is mind boggling. Let us talk a bit about whether this remodeling project is a sound financial decision.
First, you should look at the long-term picture. Are you remodeling the kitchen for your own preferences, or will you be selling the home at any point in the future? In either case, renovations to the kitchen can help save money in the future, however, if you are planning to stay in the home, your choices can help save on your monthly utility bills. You can opt for new energy efficient windows that can save you on your monthly electric payments. You can also install low flow faucets to save on water consumption. Buying appliances that are more energy efficient is a great investment and you will also experience personal satisfaction that your new kitchen is more operational and updated.
If you are planning on selling your home in the future, you can expect a very significant return on your investment. If you ask any realtor, they will tell you that one of the first things a potential buyer is interested in is the kitchen. If your kitchen is fresh and updated with contemporary finishes (counters, cabinets, flooring) it will make your home stand out against homes that have a more dated kitchen. You can expect to get a return of at least 40% of your remodeling investment when you go to list your home.
A home kitchen makeover is a very prudent choice, especially if you can only remodel one room. The kitchen is central to the home and you spend a lot of time there cooking, eating and socializing. The benefits of new and updated appliances, and other elements far outweigh the costs you may incur. You will be surprised at how far you can get on your proposed budget, and you'll be left with the feeling that it was money well spent.
by: Leonard Simmons
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7310.shtml
(BPT) - Few things are as exciting as bringing home a new puppy. Whether Chihuahua or Great Dane, a pup's playful antics delight people of all ages. Having a dog can bring many years of companionship and precious memories, but before you ask, "How much is that doggie in the window?" consider a few expert tips for positive housetraining.
Responsible pet parents start planning long before bringing a puppy home. "Research your lifestyle - what your living accommodations are. Do breed research into what you want the pet for," says Dr. Chris Stearns, partner at Dalton Animal Care clinic in Dalton, Ga. "It's so important to have the right environment - enough room indoors and out, and enough attention."
Talk with different people who can share insight about the breeds you are considering. Veterinarians, trainers, groomers and breeders can provide valuable information about what dogs are best for your lifestyle, and what to expect for each in regard to training.
Stearns, along with Stephanie Daughtrey, a certified animal behaviorist at the clinic, offers these important tips for housetraining your puppy and keeping your home intact in the process.
1. Know potty triggers
Start by understanding your puppy's potty triggers. What exactly stimulates a pup's bladder and digestive system? While it varies from dog to dog, triggers are typically feelings of excitement, like when visitors arrive, and particular times of day, like after he wakes up or right before bed. Keep in mind, puppies will need to go after eating and/or drinking - usually within 15 minutes.
2. Establish a routine
Find a designated "potty patch" outdoors so your dog can associate that space with doing his business. Start by leash walking the pup to that spot so he can focus before spending any time playing.
If your dog doesn't go, consider keeping him on a leash inside too. Rotate 15 minutes inside and 15 minutes outside. Stay close to your new furry family member. If he starts to circle and sniff, in that familiar way, take him outside. If he starts to squat to urinate, clap or make a sharp sound that will stop him in the act. You can transfer him outside to finish and praise him there.
"Young puppies learn through positive reinforcement - not negative. Give them a treat when they go potty outside - that reinforces the good behavior right then and there. Praise them with a happy tone of voice," says Stearns.
3. Avoid indoor accidents
Accept that a puppy will need to go outside every one or two hours. It's the owner's responsibility to provide plenty of time outdoors, otherwise if left unattended for extended periods, a puppy will find a place to piddle.
"Close the doors out of the room where the puppy is - get baby gates to seal off other areas. A puppy will seek out areas of the house that are not part of the 'family den'," says Daughtrey.
4. Clean messes immediately
"Accidents will happen," says Stearns. "Expect it and work with it when it happens. You must deodorize it, so he can't use it as a scent-marking area. Use a product that does more than just mask the odor - it needs to enzymatically destroy the chemical in the urine."
Start by blotting to absorb as much liquid as possible. Then treat the mess with a pet stain and odor remover that has the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval. Each certified product that features the national trade association's seal goes through rigorous testing in an independent laboratory, so you can be confident you're treating the stain, removing the odors, and protecting the integrity of your carpet.
If your carpet becomes deeply soiled from multiple accidents and dirty little puppy paws, you may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner. For those with allergies, frequent vacuuming and regularly-scheduled cleaning will remove virtually all embedded allergens and pet dander. Certified CRI Seal of Approval service providers have the experience needed to treat stains, remove odors and leave carpet looking like new. Visit www.carpet-rug.org to find a provider near you.
5. Spay or neuter
Finally, spay or neuter your dog at the appropriate age according to your vet's recommendations. Unneutered dogs typically urinate more in the house as an action of marking their territory, so it's something every caring pet parent should consider.
The Benefits of Refinancing
Beyond potentially saving you thousands of dollars, refinancing your mortgage can also help you consolidate debt and pay off other bills. Your life has probably changed from the time you first got your home loan. Perhaps you got a better paying job or you have a new baby on the way. You may have new expenses that never existed before, or you may be making more money than when you started. In many cases, refinancing your home loan could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars – money which could be well spent in other areas of your life. Ideally, your mortgage should not be costing you above one third of your total gross income. If you're dealing with a high interest rate, you've been hit with an adjustable rate that has skyrocketed, or you've experienced a drop in income for whatever reason – it's a good idea to consider refinancing and locking in a better rate.
Working with a Trusted Lender
Working with a trusted lender is one of the best decisions you can make when you decide to refinance. Trusted lenders, like Aurora Bank (Equal Housing Lender, member FDIC) for example, understand a multitude of product options and can explain those options to you as well as the costs that are involved in the refinancing process.
Know Your Options
There's no shortage of lending companies vying for your business. But it pays to do your own research as well. Take advantage of online mortgage calculators and run different scenarios based on your income, property tax, and extra payments you can afford to make. See exactly how much home you can afford and create a spectrum of possibilities for refinancing. Then, speak with a home loan consultant who can help you with your financing needs.You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much money you'll save by refinancing at today's low rates. Overall, honest, exceptional service and a dedication to customer satisfaction are what make the best mortgage refinancing lenders stand out.
Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower and biomass are some examples of renewable sources of energy. Using renewable sources of energy is good because these sources offer a more environmentally friendly option than utilizing fossil fuels. There will be an improvement in energy security and energy independence if people use renewable sources of energy. Also, renewable sources of energy are the cleanest and safest energy sources.
One well-known source of energy, solar energy, is an environment-friendly and endless renewable source. Also, solar power doesn't result in the emission of harmful carbon dioxide, unlike the use of fossil fuels. The sun will be the unlimited source of energy and with the right technologies can provide sufficient electricity that could be used in every single household or even in commercial and industrial properties.
The use of solar power has a positive effect on the environment because taking advantage of solar energy does not contribute to climate change, acid rains or any kind of pollution. When transformed from solar radiation, solar energy may be converted to thermal energy or electric power. This may also be employed in a number of applications like in agriculture and technology. At present, solar power is being utilized in two areas, namely for the production of thermal energy which can heat up water and producing of electric power by utilizing the photovoltaic cell.
Photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, capture solar energy then transform it into electricity. These cells convert sunlight into electricity by employing the energy developed when photons from sunlight push electrons into greater state of energy. Yet solar power is not limited to thermal energy and electricity because there are numerous devices which are powered by solar energy already existing in the market.
Solar energy is an excellent source of power for homes and companies, and by utilizing solar power you're not merely protecting the environment from becoming polluted, but you arealsosaving the rest of the earth's natural resources.
One of the factors why many individuals are still hesitant to make use of solar power is because it is expensive. The initial investment of installing a solar power system for a home is not cheap. The need for a large amount of space is another reason why people aren't considering solar power. But it is definitely worth the investment.
by: John Daviz
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_1156.shtml
If you have been trying to sell your home, you are well aware of how challenging it can be. However, there is one way that you can increase your chances of success and that is if you improve your home's curb appeal.
With fewer and fewer qualified buyers in the market it has become even more important to make your home as attractive as possible.
That's because a very high percentage of people who are shopping for a home decide whether or not they would like to take a look inside the home based on what they see as they drive by the house - or when they arrive for a showing. If the curb appeal is not positive they often leave.
As the homeowner it can be rather difficult for you to see your house through other people's eyes.
That's because you have gotten accustomed to how it looks and you see beyond whatever faults it has. However, if you are considering selling your home you have to first look at is as property rather than the roof over your particular head. And, as such, there are a number of things you can do to sell this property for the highest possible dollar.
Before you can increase your curb appeal you have to identify the areas that are ripe for improvement. Here's a simple exercise that you can do to help you to gage your home's curb appeal.
First, the next time you come back home, park across the street or down the block. You want to be able to get a good view of your property and its surroundings, as if you were looking at it for the first time. As you walk towards your house imagine that this is the first time you are here.
Is the approach to your property tidy and clean? Is there anything that you could do to make it more attractive?
Take a notepad with you and jot down your first impressions of the yard and the house. Then note the house's best exterior features.
Once you've done that take a moment or two to see if you can come up with some initial ideas about how you can enhance the looks of your house and property. Continue this exercise later.
After you consider the best features of your yard and home, make a note of what the worst features are. Then see if you can think of a number of ways that you could eliminate, improve, or minimize these negative factors.
One thing that could help is if you take pictures of your house. If your camera is a digital camera take the photos in color and look at them that way first. Then turn the image into black and white and analyze them. It may be easier to see the problems when the color doesn't affect your impressions.
by: Wendy Moyer
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6541.shtml
The biggest challenge facing most real estate investors is making acceptable offers, especially when buying properties is the basic foundation of real estate investing.
Unless you buy properties, you cannot make any money.
Here is how to make offers that get accepted.
The offer you make depends on the type of property you are buying.
1) Buying from motivated sellers
If you buy houses from motivated sellers, it is necessary to have the following pieces of information:
a) Market Value
Do your due diligence to find out conservatively how much the house would be worth in perfect condition. You must have this information before you can make any offer.
b) Mortgage balance
You must get this information before you can make an offer. A seller who is not willing to disclose this information is not motivated enough. Move on to a motivated seller.
The mortgage balance must allow you to buy the house and still leave you with a profit. It must allow you to make a profit and own it free and clear.
c) Repairs needed
It is possible to estimate repair costs with the information provided by the seller.
You must know how much you need to fix up the house before you can make an offer. Of course, I like to see the house and do my own repair estimates.
d) Asking price
If the owner is asking for too much money given the above 3 pieces of information, the dealmight never happen.
A good asking price must take into account the market value, mortgage balance and repairs. You can then make an offer based on the asking price. Make an offer if the mortgage balance allows you to make a profit.
Even though it is necessary to consider the seller's needs, no offer can be too low. If they are facing foreclosure, then they probably need some money to move, or their asking price might be just enough to get away from the property.
If the mortgage balance is too high compared to the value of the house, it does not make sense to make an offer. Move on to the next deal.
There is no bad offer, except the one you have not made. Always make the offers that make sense to you. You'll be surprised how many get accepted.
2) Buying foreclosed properties
The asking price and repairs are the only important considerations to make in this case. Banks selling these properties are willing to negotiate.
Most REOs are listed below market value. Depending on your exit strategy, if the numbers are close to making sense, by all means make an offer.
Lastly, remember to make your offer lower than the asking price.
by: Simon Macharia
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6984.shtml
The house is finally done after a whole lot of "blood, sweat and tears", and now it's time to get your wholesale flip "retail buyer ready". Real estate investors all have the same question at this point; how can I make my house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood? The answer is quite simple. Your home has to make a better first impression than your competition. Your potential buyer has to want to come inside from the moment they drive up to the house. So how do you do that?
Learn to think like a buyer!
Curb Appeal Is Everything!
Pay special attention to the landscaping and keep the grass cut and trimmed while your house is for sale. If you are selling during the summer months, extra watering may be needed to keep the lawn in tip top shape.
Give your yard a manicured look. It will really pay off to spend a few dollars to have the plants neatly trimmed, the planting beds weeded, and fresh mulch put down. A great touch is to put brightly colored flowers near the front of the house. You might even want to add a couple of pots of flowers at or near the front door well give it an extra touch. Be sure to pick plants that don't need daily watering.
All your windows should be sparkling clean on the exterior as well as the interior.
Take a good look at your front door. Does it need a fresh coat of paint or maybe just a good cleaning?
Spend a few dollars and replace your old mailbox, then add some attractive house numbers. These simple things will give your house a polished look.
Make sure your deck or patio in the back yard is neat and inviting. You want your buyers to be able to imagine entertaining or just relaxing in this space at the end of the day. A power washer can be rented for about $40-$50 dollars if heavy duty cleaning is needed. Go ahead and power-wash any siding on your house at the same time.
Store all garden equipment and trash containers out of sight.
Look at the interior of the house through "buyer's eyes"
Have a professional do a thorough house cleaning when the house is finished, paying special attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms. Remember these are the rooms that sell houses!
Make sure all floors have been cleaned and are in good condition. This also applies to any carpet that hasn't been replaced.
Give the house the "sniff test". Does it smell good?
Buyers don't want to have to paint before moving in, so be sure the house is painted in neutral colors. Painting the trim a crisp white makes the home look modern and inviting.
Home staging always pays big dividends! Consider doing some simple home staging so that prospective buyers can imagine what the home will look like with furniture in it.
Does the basement have a "musty" smell? Figure out what the problem is and correct it.
Does everything in the house function properly? Make sure all the light bulbs are working, and all of the cabinet handles and doorknobs are securely attached. Walk through the house and give it the same scrutiny that a buyer will, double checking the smallest details in the home.
Be sure to change your filters. If the furnace or AC filter hasn't been replaced during the rehab, clean or replace it.
Author: Sharon Vornholt
Sharon's Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com
