The leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it stated that Turquoise was the “it” color for 2010. But before you deck the house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest trends.
Behr paint company says neutral is still in–think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites. Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas and armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style. Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from the darker browns, which are becoming passé.
While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green and the brighter the better–especially if it’s a purple hue. Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.
Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too. Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens. But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors. Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements consumers look to get the most bang for their buck. Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.
Before you put your home on the market,take the time to do a little “snooping” on your neighbors by comparing your home to others on the market and visiting open houses. Visiting a few open houses can give you a better idea of what your home is worth and can highlight needed improvements.
If two or three houses that you visit, for example, have recently redone their roofs or windows, you probably should put those repairs toward the top of your to-do list, so your home doesn’t suffer from comparison once you start marketing it.
Visiting open houses also give you the chance to see how to “stage” your home to show its best features. Take notice of what appeals to you as you walk through the house and what little things jump out at you that you may have overlooked in your own home.
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Most homeowners believe a home inspection provides valuable information that helps them avoid home maintenance problems and save money, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive and the American Society of Home Inspectors. Seven out of ten homeowners surveyed say the home inspection on their current home helped them avoid potential problems with their home, and almost two-thirds (64%) say they saved money in the long run because the inspection uncovered minor issues that could be easily remedied. The survey also finds that nearly 90% of homeowners believe home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.
While many homeowners who had an inspection understand the value it provides, many still incorrectly believe that certain components are included in a standard home inspection. For example, electrical wiring and plumbing behind drywall, and swimming pools are commonly mistaken as items that are included in an inspection, but they typically are not. Also 70% of homeowners surveyed assume all home inspectors are required to be certified and licensed, which is not necessarily the case.
Despite the ups and downs of the housing market and the decline in home values, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret owning a home. In a recent survey by the National Assoication of Home Builders, three out of four Americans believe that owning a home is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk of a sometimes-volatile housing market. Approximately 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home.
The sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. Nearly two-thirds believe owning a home is worth the risk, and 83% say they are happy with their decision to own a home.
Four out of five (80%) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer underwater (78%) would do the same. Only 19% of homeowners who are underwater believe homeownership is too risky.
When you buy a new home,you’ll eagerly await the day you can move in. But how is that date determined? The date of possession is one of several details that must be negotiated between you and the seller.
In most cases, possession will be transferred after you have signed your mortgage loan and a clear title has been transferred. Then, when you and the seller agree on a date, it will be incorporated into the written contract. Once this is done, the date cannot be changed without written agreement.
In rare cases, a seller may request to stay in the house for a short while after closing. If the buyer agrees, a post-sale occupancy agreement must be put into writing and included as part of the contract. The seller may be asked to pay a rental fee, which is agreed upon by both parties.
The buyer may also request permission to take occupancy before the purchase transaction is completed. This, too, must be agreed in writing and the rental stipulations will be included in the purchase agreement.
Many aspects of the possession date are negotiable, but special provisions should be thoroughly spelled out and mutually agreed upon in writing.
After making the investment of buying your new home, you may want to postpone such expensive tasks as landscaping and adding a deck, but there are a few essentials that you shouldn’t put off.
One of the first actions you should take is to change your locks. You never know if the previous owners gave keys to former friends or repairmen. Don’t wait to call a locksmith; this relatively inexpensive security measure should be taken as soon as possible.
It’s also wise to go around your new home and replace all the batteries in smoke detectors. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near the bedrooms if one isn’t already their.
Finally, take the time to find out the location and non-emergency phone numbers for the nearest fire station, police station, and hospital. Keep them by the main phone so they are available at all times. You’ll also want to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, and keep their numbers on hand in case of an emergency.
Buying or selling your house? There’s an app for that. Well, not exactly, but there’s plenty of high-tech help available to guide you through the process.
The iZillow app gives you access to date on more than 80 millions homes, including square footage and an estimate of fair market value. Take a drive around your possible new neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real estate info.
Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide with the Mortgage Marvel app. Use it to compare the rates and fees –prices reflect transaction-related pricing adjustments, such as loan amount, loan-to-value ration and property type–and view disclosure information for all rates. When you’re ready, you can select a lender, fill out an application and be approved
The RulerPhone app lets you use your iPhone as a tape measure to see if you couch will fit in your prospective new home. Place a credit-card-sized card next to an object, take a picture with the phone and align your image with the card placeholder displayed on-screen. A ruler will be displayed, allowing you to adjust the measurements with the drag of a finger.
The ExpertVideo: Home Repair app brings valuable home repair how-to videos to the palm of your hand. More than 20 videos are available, covering how to repair concrete steps, paint kitchen cabinets or patch a drywall hole. Still have questions after watching? A moderated discussion panel gives you the answers.
Keep home improvements and routine maintenance tasks organized with the Homeowner Calendar app, featuring a calendar for monthly tastes, suck as checking smoke alarms, cleaning air filters or cleaning your gutters. Alerts let you know when the tasks are coming up, and the application allows for custom additions.
Find all these apps at www.apple.com/iphone/appstore.
The place you decide to call home can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. Neighborhoods, like their inhabitants, have unique personalities and charm. With a little investigative work, you can find your dream neighborhood – a neighborhood that is perfectly suited to your lifestyle and that makes you and your family members feel at home.
When you’re searching for a home, begin by turning to me for help. I am knowledgeable about the local real estate market and I will be able to compare the homes you may be interested in with others in the area.
Once I have answered your questions, you can continue to do further research on your own. Get a comprehensive feel fro the area by driving through at various times of the day. Take note of noise levels and the overall ambiance to see how you feel about the area in relation to what I told you. Don’t be afraid to get out and walk around and even visit with residents who might be out walking around. Consult public resources and search online for statistics and reports, like school ranking and crime reports.
Getting you house in top shape is important when welcoming potential buyers inside. But you don’t want to forget about enticing buyers from the outside as well. Your yard is definitely part of the first impression and having it in tip-top condition can help set the tone of any visit. Unfortunately, summer’s scorching sun can often work against you. Here’s how you can keep your garden and yard looking healthy and beautiful even in the hottest months:
Keep Watering, Set up a sprinkler in your yard and make sure your flowers and grass get water daily. You’ll save water – and plants – by only watering in the evenings or early mornings when the sun isn’t beating down.
Choose Summer Flowers. When planting your garden, always keep in mind the amount of sun and heat flowers might receive. With a little bit of TLC, your snapdragons and petunias will maintain their blooms throughout the summer.
Fertilize. When fertilizing summer blooming flowers, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus or use a “bloom booster” formula. This will help stimulate flowering throughout the summer, ensuring your garden will always look its best.
If all else fails, hire a local landscaping company or gardening center to plant a season of colorful flowers. While this is an additional cost, it’s worth it if it helps your house sell faster and at a higher price.
Fannie Mae has launched a new website to help homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments or are facing foreclosure.
Knowyouroptions.com features practical information and resources homeowners need to avoid foreclosure and either stay in their home or sell it. Resources include a list of local foreclosure prevention events, housing counselors, Fannie Mae resources, credit score information, forms, videos, calculators and more. The site also provides important tips for recognizing and avoiding foreclosure scams. For more information, visit www.knowyouroptions.com.
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