Brian Ripp ~ Your Bay Area & Fremont Real Estate & Financial Agent

If you are considering buying or selling a home, you may think you will “save some money” and do it yourself.  But did you know that by using a knowledgeable real estate professional, you are more likely to save not only money, but also valuable time and energy?  With the many tasks you are currently trying to juggle, do you have the sales skills – not to mention the contacts and resources – to do it on your own?  Instead of trying to take on more work for yourself, think about what a real estate representative can do for you.

As buyers, you know what your financial reserves are and what your future earning potential may be.  You can give your real estate professional information about your income, saving and current debt.  Then, your agent can take that information to help you make a choice about which homes best meet all of your needs, and to offer you objective information about homes that are on the market.

If you are selling property, a real estate representative will be aware of ways you can significantly increase the salability of your home.  In addition, a real estate professional knows how, when and where your property should be advertised.

As a real estate professional, I can help with all of your buying and selling needs.

Simple and affordable do-it-yourself projects can greatly increase a home’s resale value, according to HomeGains annual home improvement and staging survey.  The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIY home improvement projects five sellers the biggest return for their buck.

Here are the six projects under $1,000 (approx.) that made the list. 

1. Cleaning and decluttering.   Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and make the home sparkling clean.
2. Brightening.  Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
3. Smart staging.  Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
4. Landscaping enhancements.  Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared and manicured.
5. Repairing electrical or plumbing.  Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition.
6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets.  Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.

Excerpted from HomeGains 2011 Home Sale Maximizer Survey

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A mantle can be the place where you highlight treasured family photos; it can also be a show-stopping focal point for your room.  Whether you like minimalistic design or prefer to be surrounded with your favorite objects, here are some ideas to help you decorate your mantle:

* Go Bold.  If you tend to use neutral colors for your walls and furnishings, you can make your mantle really stand out by adding a bright “pop” of color.  Consider using a vase of crimson tulips, a bowl of sunny citrus fruits or an array of colorful glass bottles.

* To balance or not to balance.  If you like traditional decor, you might like a symmetrical look for your mantle.  Try hanging a large painting, photo or mirror centered above your fireplace, then arrange a set of candlesticks, books or other matching knick-knacks on either end.  But if you prefer to be a little different, go for an asymmetric look by using the decorator’s rule of “three to one”.  According to this rule, artfully group three similar (but not the same) objects at one end of your mantle, then place one large object at the other end.

* Show off those photos.  Select photos of friends, family and pets, then place them in a variety of frames.  Mix shapes, styles and colors.  Try to coordinate colors in the photos with the frames for a sophisticated, finished look.

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There may be some good news on the jobs front, which could give the housing market a boost.  Some employers plan to add new jobs in 2012, but many are waiting to see how the enconomy fares before ramping up their hiring plans, according to CareerBuilder’s annual job forecast.  Nearly onin four empoloyers (23%) say they plan to hire full-time, permanent workers in 2012, unchanged from a year ago.  Nearly six out of 10 (59%) expect no change i their staffing, while 7% say they plan to cut staff.

Compensation is also expected to increase in 2012 for both current staff and prospective employees.  Some 62% of employers plan to increase compensation for their existing employees, while 32% will offer higher starting salaries for new employees.  Professionals in sales (24%), information technology (20%), engineering (14%), and business development (14%) are expected to get the biggest pay increases.

great info. from March/April 2012  CRS magazine

Fixed-rate loans accounted for more than 95% of all refinance loans in the 4th, regardless of whether the original loan was an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a fixed-rate, according to a report by Freddie Mac.  Nearly two-thirds of borrowers who had a hybrid ARM (58%) chose a fixed-rate loan during the 4th quarter, while the remaining 42% refinanced into a similar type of product.

An increasing number of refinancing borrowers chose to shorten their loan terms. Of those who paid off a 30-year fixed-rate loan, 43% chose a 15-year or 20-year loan, the highest such share since the 1st quarter of 2003.  The strong refinance activity is attributed to continuing low interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages, which averaged 4% for 30-year loans and 3.3% for 15 years during the 4th quarter, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

great info from March/April 2012 CRS magazine

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Can’t afford a full kitchen makeover?  Sprucing up the cabinetry is an easy fix for a fraction of the cost.

There are two options:  replacing or refacing.  Refacing includes covering the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with wood or plastic veneer and replacing knobs and door hinges; replacing cabinets requires removing them entirely and starting from scratch.  So what’s best for your home?  Here are a few things to consider, according to HGTV.

First, check to see if the cabinets are structurally sound.  If you have problems opening the drawer, closing the doors, or if the cabinet’s interior isn’t as large as you need it to be, simple rejuvenating the look isn’t going to help in the long run.  Also consider the age of the cabinets: those make 20 to30 years ago were typically built using thicker wood and sturdier construction.  Such cabinets can often be refaced instead of replaced.

Next, consider how long you’ll remain in your home.  Replacing the cabinets will add to the home’s value and could be worth the extra money if your home will be on the market in the near future.  But for a potential buyer, a modern renewal of cabinets with an up-to-date look – might be enough, making refacing your cabinets a cost-effective, viable solution.  The typical cost of refacing with plastic veneer can cost up to about $3,000, while wood veneers can cost up to $7,000.  If you’re still considering the replacing, make sure you budget accordingly.  According to Costhelper.com, the cost of delivery and installation of new cabinets can cost at least $10,000.

1. Pay your bills on time. Payment history accounts for roughly 35% of your score. So paying bills on time is the most important thing you can do. If you’re behind, get caught up and then stay current. If you’re struggling, contact your creditors to work out a payment schedule.

2. Increase the length of your credit history. It accounts for 15% of your score. Canceling an old card or getting a lot of new credit within a short time span can hurt your score because it lowers the average age of your accounts.

3. Keep credit card balances low. Credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. Try to keep the amount you borrow below 25% of your available credit. Even if you pay off your credit cards every month, the average balance will still impact your score.

4. Minimize new credit requests. They account for 10% of your credit score. Every time a potential lender asks for a copy of your credit report, an inquiry is recorded. If you will be applying for a loan in the near future, don’t apply for any new credit cards beforehand. You can also ask the three main credit reporting agencies-Experian, Equifax, and Trans-Union, to stop unsolicited credit offers.

5. Maintain different types of installment and revolving debt. About 10% of your score depends on the type of credit used. How you handle revolving credit (like credit cards) carries more weight than how you deal with installment debt (such as car loans & mortgages).

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Here are some suggestions to ensure that your home is energy efficient and ready for the colder winter weather.

Test your homes energy efficiency.  You can perform a simple audit of your home’s energy use by following the guidelines at EnergyStar.gov. You can also have PG&E or a home inspector evaluate the home.

Turn down the heat.   Save money on your heating billsby setting your thermostat to 55 degrees when you are away from home for more than 4 hours.  Alter the setting manually, or for $80-$120, purchase a programmable thermostat for your heater.

Avoid drafts.  Plug air leaks with caulk or weather stripping to limit heat loss in your home.  Check for leaks by holding a lit candle near vents, doors, window frams and mail slots.  If the flame changes direction, there’s a leak.

Water works.  To save money, set your hot water heater heater at 120 degrees.  Electric and gas units can be covered with an insulating jacket for about $20.  The isulation can help cut heat losses by up to 45 percent.

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Like the residential housing market, the remodeling market is showing signs of improvement, according to two leading industry indexes. The National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose five points in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the third quarter, reaching its highest level in five years. Index components measuring current market conditions and future indicators of remodeling business both increased five points in the fourth quarter. The highest market activity occurred in two categories: major additions and minor additions.

“The residential remodeling market has been improving gradually, mirroring the trend in other segments of the housing market,” says NAHB chief economist David Crowe. “Stringent lending requirements and economic uncertainty continue to be a drag on demand, but we expect a modest growth in remodeling activity to continue through 2012.”

Meanwhile, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University also reports that home remodeling spending is expected to increase later this year after a slow start to 2012. If momentum continues to build throughout the year, 2012 could end on a positive note, says Eric Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. “We’re beginning to see some hopeful signs in the economy, and the housing market is finally starting its slow recovery. That should prove helpful for home improvement spending as the year progresses.”

from CRS Connect, on-line newsletter

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