tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60617354759689253922024-02-07T03:16:27.907-08:00Robin Levine's Real Estate UpdateRobin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-70715071280567095472020-10-09T16:30:00.002-07:002020-10-09T16:30:41.202-07:00Redlands Mesa Golf Course Community Development Opportunity<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LeThO9MxgQA" width="320" youtube-src-id="LeThO9MxgQA"></iframe></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT29G-e0Ff63rQZSx9fVYcE06lgA_OT4Wio9xZegm5BjtR5YrG4CrKPKX_CqEKADMJoWM7agRJ6gSV8g7dZydSpp3GP5zvP2BU67Rxs6iEDJRAKUk6p8h2hgPAmv64DxKRbKQwIs3WyY-u/s1650/Teaser+Page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT29G-e0Ff63rQZSx9fVYcE06lgA_OT4Wio9xZegm5BjtR5YrG4CrKPKX_CqEKADMJoWM7agRJ6gSV8g7dZydSpp3GP5zvP2BU67Rxs6iEDJRAKUk6p8h2hgPAmv64DxKRbKQwIs3WyY-u/w441-h572/Teaser+Page+1.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-76931209486135163212020-04-14T10:26:00.000-07:002020-04-14T10:26:08.187-07:00Grand Junction Reaches Unprecedented Growth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREe9vVwkNi3rXXCvg8Sk1DKFmlH_JNIssSBwhJ-8TS0NTnR79WlqrAqKJtekZXdsNg9RW-lgw6WBByD265crmTpubhmbE08B_4qYOr_GoDdkYps8hA03B2zLdQVazvWx-vA38DLiCjjqe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-04-13+at+3.52.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREe9vVwkNi3rXXCvg8Sk1DKFmlH_JNIssSBwhJ-8TS0NTnR79WlqrAqKJtekZXdsNg9RW-lgw6WBByD265crmTpubhmbE08B_4qYOr_GoDdkYps8hA03B2zLdQVazvWx-vA38DLiCjjqe/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-04-13+at+3.52.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://milkeninstitute.org/reports/best-performing-cities-2020" id="LPlnk497273" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto;">https://milkeninstitute.org/reports/best-performing-cities-2020</a></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-31622606709510796862019-03-07T09:01:00.000-08:002019-03-07T09:01:23.014-08:00Top Tips for Keeping Your Garage Neat and Organized<h1 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; clear: both; color: #1e232b; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 3.8em; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Top Tips for Keeping Your Garage Neat and Organized</h1>
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You can’t ignore your messy garage forever; and in fact, spring is an excellent time to clean and organize it. Here are our top tips for organizing your garage so it stays neat and tidy.</div>
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The garage ranks high along with the basement for spaces where families tend to dump things they don’t know what to do with.</div>
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It’s easy to store a box you never unpacked, some outdoor equipment or some unused paint in your garage and simply ignore the fact that it’s there when you pull in your car each night.</div>
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But the clutter becomes more difficult to ignore when, for example, you’re stuck clearing snow off your car or running out to your driveway during a downpour because you’ve filled your garage with too much stuff.</div>
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You can’t ignore your messy garage forever; and in fact, spring is an excellent time to <a href="https://www.closetworksinc.com/subscribe" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">clean and organize it</a>. It’s not too hot, and you’ll probably need to get to items in your garage like lawn and garden equipment and your kids’ outdoor toys.</div>
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Here are our top tips for <a href="https://www.closetworksinc.com/blog/top-5-benefits-organized-garage" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">organizing your garage</a> so it stays neat and tidy.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clean and Sort Everything</strong></h2>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Keeping your garage neat and organized" data-constrained="true" sizes="(max-width: 661px) 100vw, 661px" src="https://www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=661&name=8.jpg" srcset="//www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=331&name=8.jpg 331w, //www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=661&name=8.jpg 661w, //www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=992&name=8.jpg 992w, //www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=1322&name=8.jpg 1322w, //www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=1653&name=8.jpg 1653w, //www.closetworksinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Garage%20Showroom/8.jpg?width=1983&name=8.jpg 1983w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Keeping your garage neat and organized" width="661" /></strong></div>
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If you actually do park your car in your garage, pull it out into the driveway or, better yet, park it on the street so you’ve got plenty of room to clean out your garage.</div>
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Unload <i style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">everything</i> first, even the boxes that haven’t been emptied since you moved in eight years ago. It might be helpful to lay a few tarps on the ground to protect your goods while you do this. Arranging specific piles of your stuff on tarps is also a helpful way to force yourself to keep a smaller number of items—keep only what you can fit in a given area.</div>
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Sort your goods into a few piles—what you want to keep, what you’d like to sell or donate, and what should be thrown out. Importantly, if you’re getting rid of paint, paint thinner, used motor oil or household chemicals, be sure to <a href="http://earth911.com/" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">dispose of them properly</a>.</div>
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After the space is organized, you’ll have plenty of room for a <a href="https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/garage-sale-tips" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">garage or yard sale</a> to get rid of those unwanted items at a later date.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Figure Out How You’ll Organize Your Stuff</strong></h2>
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Garages typically house a unique mix of car-related items, tools, gardening equipment, bikes, kayaks, fishing gear, snow removal tools, beach items and more. It can be a challenge to figure out how exactly to store everything.</div>
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To give things their own place, you might want to consider a <a href="https://www.closetworksinc.com/custom-garage-organizing-systems" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">custom garage storage solution </a>with options to store a wide range of items.</div>
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A design professional can create a plan that affords you enough space to add a workbench with drawers and cabinets for tool or hobby storage. For the gardener in your family, you could also add a potting area with a work surface.</div>
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During the cleaning phase, you should inventory any dangerous chemicals to see if they’re still usable. Then you can add locked cabinets to keep those dangerous chemicals and sharp tools safely away from curious kids.</div>
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The garage is a prime area for storing sports equipment like bikes and skis and gardening tools like a hose or rake, which can all be stored off the floor with wall racks. You can also add baskets for bulky things like balls, gloves, masks or pads.</div>
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Cabinets, both with swing-out and sliding doors (if space is tight when cars are parked), can house many other items you need to store like bottled water, things you buy in bulk or even outdoor furniture accessories.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Find a New Home for These Items</strong></h2>
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Consider a new home for some items which are best stored in areas other than your garage.</div>
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<li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.4em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paint should be stored inside where the temperature remains somewhat consistent. Store it out of reach of children and pets in your basement or a closet.</li>
<li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.4em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Propane tanks shouldn’t be stored in your garage; a spark could ignite the tank. Instead, store the tank upright and outside in a well-ventilated area away from any ignition source.</li>
<li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.4em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paper towels, plates, napkins, cardboard and other paper goods are better kept in your pantry if the packages are open. Storing them in your garage could attract bugs. They could also get damaged by moisture.</li>
<li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.4em; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pet food also belongs inside; storing it in your garage could attract mice, rats, possums and other creatures you probably don’t want hanging out there.</li>
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While your initial garage <a href="https://www.closetworksinc.com/request-consultation" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">organization effort</a> may not be the most fun chore, you’ll be glad you tackled the clutter and created a better storage system later in the year. Rather than spending precious time searching for your kids’ bikes and skateboards, you’ll be able to easily find them and enjoy yourselves.</div>
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If you’re interested in learning more about organizing your garage, <a href="https://www.closetworksinc.com/request-consultation" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">reach out to us for a free, in-home consultation.</a></div>
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<span style="color: #1e232b; font-family: "pt" serif , "arial" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/top-tips-for-keeping-your-garage-neat-and-organized/</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-91054452119679403852019-02-27T13:48:00.000-08:002019-02-27T13:48:22.407-08:005 Kitchen Update Trends <h1 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; clear: both; color: #1e232b; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 3.8em; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
5 Kitchen Update Trends</h1>
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Whether you’re looking to invest in simple updates or a complete kitchen renovation, you can’t go wrong incorporating the latest design trends to enjoy now as well as boost your home’s value when it comes time to sell. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our list below featuring on-trend elements we think will give you the most “bang for your buck.”</div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The following is a guest post from Patti Stern</em></div>
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Whether you’re looking to invest in simple updates or a complete kitchen renovation, you can’t go wrong incorporating the latest design trends to enjoy now as well as boost your home’s value when it comes time to sell. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our list below featuring on-trend elements we think will give you the most “bang for your buck.”</div>
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<img alt="" class="wp-image-46444 size-large" height="778" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-1024x778.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-1024x778.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-300x228.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-768x583.jpg 768w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><br />
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Kitchen Renovations by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating; Photo Credits: Steven Seymour and Jeff Kaufman</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Cabinet Color. </strong>Replacing or repainting dark, dated cabinets is a priority in any kitchen update as cabinets are both an aesthetic and functional focal point which get noticed immediately by buyers. In the kitchens pictured above, we use bright white shaker cabinets which remain a current favorite to brighten the space and provide a clean, modern appeal. For the first kitchen pictured, we introduced on-trend navy blue for perimeter cabinets and a built-in pantry and coffee bar to add depth and contrast to the white subway tile backsplash, white Quartz counters, wood flooring and stainless-steel appliances.</div>
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<img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-46443" height="520" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-1024x520.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-1024x520.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-300x152.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-768x390.jpg 768w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><br />
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Kitchen Renovation by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating; Photo Credit: Steven Seymour</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Custom Storage</strong>. According to a recent Houzz study, “a top functional priority, cited by 63 percent of renovators, was having a kitchen in which it’s easy to store and find items.” In the kitchen above, we chose a large island that functions as both a work area with extra storage below as well as a casual eating space with bar stools. The surrounding custom cabinetry and built-in storage units add to the room’s efficiency and enhance the clean lines and modern style.</div>
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<img alt="" class="wp-image-46442 size-large" height="683" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/3-1024x683.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/3-768x512.jpg 768w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><br />
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Kitchen Renovation by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating; Photo Credit: Steven Seymour</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Quartz Countertops</strong>. The Houzz study also found that Quartz (used for the island and counters in our kitchen remodel above) was the most popular countertop material in 2018. It has become a growing alternative to granite and marble for its durability, versatility and custom appeal.</div>
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<img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-46441" height="698" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-1024x698.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-300x205.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-768x524.jpg 768w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><br />
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Kitchen Renovation by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating; Photo Credit: Steven Seymour</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Full-Tile Feature Walls. </strong>With the popularity of open first-floor layouts and kitchens with wall-free transitions, there is more of a need for a focal point. One of the trends we continue to see is beautiful feature walls with counter-to-ceiling tile either behind floating shelves or a range hood (as shown above). Whether choosing a shimmery glass finish or a bold geometric pattern, it’s a cost-effective way to add high-end style, texture and depth.</div>
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<img alt="" class="wp-image-46440 size-full" height="317" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/5.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/5.jpg 474w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/5-300x201.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="474" /><br />
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Image Credit: Houzz</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Mixed Metals. </strong>Designers are now selecting a mix of metal finishes for faucets, hardware, lighting and appliances to add a new level of depth, sophisticated style and personality to a space. Be careful not to choose too many different finishes that compete with the surrounding colors and materials. Keep it simple with two metals that balance the room well. A primary finish such as a cool chrome or stainless steel should take up two-thirds of the fixtures then choose a warmer accent such as antique brass for the remaining third.</div>
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<span style="color: #1e232b; font-family: "pt" serif , "arial" , serif;">https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/5-kitchen-update-trends/</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-29406942470003759602019-02-13T12:25:00.001-08:002019-02-13T12:25:10.859-08:00Commonly Asked Real Estate Questions<div class="lu-gl-faq-q" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>#AskPaul&Robin</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are closing costs?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closing costs are expenses incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does FSBO mean?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FSBO stands for <strong>For Sale By Owner</strong>. A for sale by owner property usually indicates that the property is being sold without a real estate agent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the difference between being prequalified and preapproved for a loan?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're prequalified it means that you <strong>POTENTIALLY</strong> could get a loan for the amount stated to you, assuming that all of the information you provide to the bank is accurate and true. This is not as strong as a preapproval.<br /><br />If you're preapproved, it means that you have undergone the extensive financial background check, which includes looking at your credit history, previous tax returns and verifying your employment - and the lender <strong>is willing</strong> to give you a loan, basically meaning you're approved!<br /><br />You will usually be provided an accurate figure which shows the maximum amount that you are approved for. Most sellers prefer buyers that have been preapproved because they know that there will not be any problems with the purchase of their home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's the Difference between a "Listing Agent" and "Selling Agent"?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Listing Agents</strong> usually deal with sellers, and are the ones who will list a property for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Selling Agents</strong> (also Buyers Agents) deal with the homebuyers. They will sell the homes (which have been placed in the MLS) via the listing agents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you phone an agent from a magazine or newspaper ad, you are usually contacting the listing agent. These agents will place ads to show the seller that they are making an effort to sell their home. Also their advertising efforts can draw others who may decide to sell their homes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why should I use a real estate agent?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A real estate agent is more than just a sales person. A real estate agent may act on your behalf, providing you with advice and guidance when buying or selling a home. Due to the constant changing of the market, the information available on listings is not always 100% accurate. There are times when you need the most current information about what has sold or is for sale, and the only way to get that is with a real estate agent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: purple;">How Safe is the Neighborhood?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one wants to live in a</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.safewise.com/blog/the-30-most-dangerous-cities-in-america/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">dangerous city</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, but your real estate agent can’t help you with this question. Due to the Fair Housing Act, a real estate agent cannot answer questions regarding crime statistics. Before starting your house hunt, research crime data for the cities and neighborhoods you are considering.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have other questions regarding real estate, please comment below!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be filming a <b>LIVE Q&A THIS THURSDAY (2/14/19) @ 12pm MT. </b>on our Facebook Page! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaulandRobinatCB/">Click Here For The Link!</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We would love for you to tune in and ask your questions!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help you!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robin 970-270-8601 or robin.levine@gjhomes.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Zurek 970-778-7753 or paul.zurek@gjhomes.com </span></div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-20213711401264921072019-02-06T14:32:00.000-08:002019-02-06T14:32:42.392-08:00January 2019 Market Update <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6eIsERRt69aZWUOFau9GspSK3s9MaZg8Ae7BiLx2n9YOFS1bAa5gzKrHvSj7Q-Wwr09m3P3GQZ7a6-jI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-3050223767744396492019-01-30T14:36:00.003-08:002019-01-30T14:36:49.987-08:001031- Planning Ahead for a Successful Exchange<h1 class="entry-title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: montserrat, helvetica, arial, lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
1031- Planning Ahead for a </h1>
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Successful Exchange</h1>
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A successful IRC §1031 exchange transaction requires planning, expertise and support. Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) assists our clients by explaining the various types of exchanges, discussing the options that may minimize or eliminate any negative tax impact, providing exchange documents, and safeguarding the exchange funds. Laying the proper groundwork before entering into an exchange will avoid unnecessary obstacles and lead to a smooth transaction.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #737373; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 1.</span> </span>Contact IPX1031. In advance of the closing date, as soon as escrow is opened, or after entering into the purchase and sale agreement, advise us of your intent to do an exchange. IPX1031 will prepare the appropriate Exchange Agreement, Assignments, and other documents that must be executed prior to closing on the Relinquished Property being sold.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #737373; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 2.</span> </span>Instruct your real estate agent or attorney to include an “Exchange Cooperation Clause” in the purchase and sale agreement.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #737373; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample Exchange Cooperation Clauses</span></div>
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Relinquished Property Sale Contract:<br />
“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Buyer hereby acknowledges that it is the intent of Seller to effect an IRC §1031 tax deferred exchange, which will not delay the closing or cause additional expense to Buyer. Seller’s rights under this agreement may be assigned to Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), as Qualified Intermediary, for the purpose of completing such an exchange. Buyer agrees to cooperate with Seller and IPX1031 in a manner necessary to complete the exchange.”</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #737373; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Replacement Property Purchase Contract:</span></div>
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“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Seller hereby acknowledges that it is the intent of Buyer to effect an IRC §1031 tax deferred exchange, which will not delay the closing or cause additional expense to Seller. Buyer’s rights under this agreement may be assigned to Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), as Qualified Intermediary, for the purpose of completing such an exchange. Seller agrees to cooperate with Buyer and IPX1031 in a manner necessary to complete the exchange.”</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #737373; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 3. </span></span>I<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">PX1031 encourages you to engage your legal and tax advisors to counsel you throughout the exchange and the underlying real estate transactions. </span>An exchange is a complex legal and tax transaction. IPX1031 can make the exchange process smooth, but we cannot provide you with tax or legal advice. <span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Consult your tax advisor before starting your exchange if you used your Relinquished Property at any time for personal use</span> (primary residence, vacation home, or used by friends/family), or you plan some personal use for the Replacement Property.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 4. </span> Tell IPX1031 if you plan to 1) use Exchange Funds to make improvements to the Replacement Property, or 2) acquire the Replacement Property before you sell your Relinquished Property.</span> Unlike a typical forward exchange, this type of exchange requires a different form of Exchange Agreement under which we must set up a title-holding entity to acquire the Replacement Property.</div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 5. </span></span>Start searching for acceptable Replacement Property immediately to insure that you can meet the strict time frame for the 45-day Identification Period.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://www.ipx1031.com/know-what-i-should-do-to-plan-ahead-for-a-successful-exchanged/?inf_contact_key=5df857579ae3ea6b34bcd01a7f6c2b41d18a532c4142cb79caf2b269de1401fa</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-34380270258748505162019-01-24T10:30:00.001-08:002019-01-24T10:30:54.346-08:00How Interest Rates Affect the Housing Industry<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Euclid Bold", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 33px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.13em; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How Interest Rates Affect the Housing Industry</h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Interest rates in the United States are determined by a number of factors, including the actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the health of the economy and the rate at which people are saving money. Given that most home sales are financed through the borrowing of money in the form of mortgages, the housing industry is profoundly affected by changes to these rates.</span><br />
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Interest rates are the rates at which money can be borrowed for a set period of time. The higher the rate, the more money a borrower must pay in the form of interest on the loan. The U.S. Federal Reserve sets a rate at which it lends money to banks and other financial institutions, which in turn affects the rate at which they lend to businesses and individuals, such as people seeking a mortgage.</div>
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Generally, when the interest rate is lower, people are more likely to borrow money, as doing so will cost them less than at another time. Conversely, when the interest rate is higher, borrowing becomes more expensive and slows. This principle applies to loans that come in the form of mortgages. When interest rates are lower, people are generally more willing to take out a mortgage than when rates are higher.</div>
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When mortgage rates are lower, this makes the purchasing of a home more affordable. Consequently, the sales of homes rise as more consumers are able to take out a low-cost loan. Consumers with existing mortgages may attempt to re-finance their mortgage, meaning they trade their current loan for another, cheaper one. In periods of low interest rates, more houses are often built as demand rises, and development companies are able to borrow money at a cheaper rate to finance the construction.</div>
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Although the cost of mortgages is closely tied to the interest rate, the price at which homes are sold does not always appear in direct correlation. While low interest rates can raise demand for houses, pushing up the prices of houses, if the price gets too high, demand can cool, causing house prices to plummet.</div>
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Not all mortgage rates are fixed at the time that the loan is taken out. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate of the loan varies with prevailing interest rates and may change as often as every month. Most adjustable-rate mortgages have their rates tied to an index of financial securities, one that changes with the movement of the market. During the financial crisis of 2008, many homeowners faced foreclosure as the rates on their mortgages rose unexpectedly and they could not make their payments.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">https://homeguides.sfgate.com/interest-rates-affect-housing-industry-7687.html</span></div>
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</aside>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-71542158852897850072019-01-16T10:00:00.002-08:002019-01-16T10:00:58.300-08:00What the Fed’s rate hike will mean for America’s wavering housing market<h1 id="article-headline" itemprop="headline" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #35383d; font-family: Muli, sans-serif; font-size: 45px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.03em; line-height: 1.125; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What the Fed’s rate hike will mean for America’s wavering housing market</h1>
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As 2018 winds to a close, the housing market has shown signs of a slowdown, and now the Federal Reserve <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/text-of-fomc-statement-for-december-2018-12-19" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">has raised interest rates</a>. So what does that mean for those in the market to buy a home?</div>
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Throughout this year, observers have begun to speculate that the country’s housing market may have <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/were-probably-at-peak-housing-heres-what-that-means-2018-06-27" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hit its peak</a>. Meanwhile, millions of Americans continue to wait on the sidelines. Housing inventory remains incredibly tight, meaning that buying a home<a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mortgages-are-unaffordable-in-half-of-americas-largest-housing-markets-2017-06-09" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is a very expensive and difficult proposition</a> for many. At the same time, expensive rents and low wages have constrained people’s ability to <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/renters-this-is-how-many-years-it-takes-to-save-up-for-a-down-payment-on-a-home-2018-07-13" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">save up for a down payment</a>.</div>
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And 2019 appears set to bring more of the same. “I would still rather be a seller than a buyer next year,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at real-estate website Realtor.com. Here is what forecasters predict the New Year will hold for America’s housing market:</div>
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The Federal Reserve <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-interest-rate-decision-and-powell-press-conference-live-blog-and-video-2018-12-19" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">announced Wednesday</a> that it hiked the benchmark federal funds rate 25 basis points and indicated that it plans to raise rates again in 2019. An increase to the federal funds rate, which is the interest rate at which banks lend money to each other, <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-worst-time-to-refinance-since-the-great-recession-2017-06-14" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">can lead to an uptick</a> in mortgage rates.</div>
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Ahead of the Fed's rate hike announcement, the interest rate on a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mortgage-rates-slide-to-3-month-low-as-housing-market-green-shoots-appear-2018-12-13" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">fell 12 basis points</a> from the previous week to 4.63%. While that’s the lowest mortgage rates have been since September, they are still higher than a year ago. And by this time next year, experts predict rates will be even higher.</div>
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<blockquote class="shareable" data-share-hover="true" data-share-modprefix="mw_pullquote_" data-share-text="‘This is an extremely mortgage-rate sensitive housing market.’" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-image: initial; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; line-height: 27px; margin: 20px auto; max-width: 630px; outline: 0px; padding: 30px 0px 10px; position: relative; quotes: none; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
‘This is an extremely mortgage-rate sensitive housing market.’<footer style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><cite style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">— Daren Blomquist, Attom Data Solutions</cite><div class="share-icons dark-matter" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden;">
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Realtor.com estimated that the rate for a 30-year mortgage will reach 5.50% by the end of 2019, while real-estate firm Zillow estimated that it <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/zillow-expects-home-buying-market-to-keep-slowing-and-commutes-to-get-worse-2018-11-28" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">could hit 5.80%</a> in a year’s time. Mortgage liquidity provider Fannie Mae <a class="icon " href="http://www.fanniemae.com/resources/file/research/emma/pdf/Housing_Forecast_112018.pdf" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_new">was more moderate</a>, predicting that rates will only increase to 5% by then.</div>
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Either way, homebuyers can expect to pay more in interest if they buy next year. And rising mortgage rates will cause ripple effects throughout the market, said Daren Blomquist, senior vice president at real-estate data firm Attom Data Solutions.</div>
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“What’s driving the slowdown in price appreciation and the rise in inventory is not so much that inventory is being created, but that demand is decreasing,” he said. “This is an extremely mortgage-rate sensitive housing market.”</div>
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Realtor.com only expects the national median home price to increase 2.2% next year and for sales to drop 2%. Zillow was a bit more upbeat, expecting home prices to rise 3.8%. (In October, the median sales price <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/existing-home-sales-stage-their-first-increase-in-six-months-in-october-2018-11-21" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">only increased 3.8% from a year earlier </a>amid a 1.8% annual uptick in home sales, the first such increase in six months.)</div>
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Added inventory won’t make it a buyer’s market</h6>
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In some of the nation’s priciest markets, housing inventory has improved in recent months, relieving some of the inventory-related constraints on housing markets.</div>
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But that’s not good news for buyers or sellers. The increase in inventory in this case is more the result of a decrease in demand because of rising interest rates than it is a sign of new homes being built.</div>
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For sellers, this shift will lead to fewer offers and bidding wars, which could in turn could cause some to feel pressure to drop their asking price. However, all of these factors won’t outweigh the price appreciation that’s occurred in recent years. “You’re still likely to walk away with a decent profit in 2019 if you sell,” Hale said.</div>
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Moreover, the uptick in inventory has mostly occurred in the pricier tier of homes, meaning that the change doesn’t directly benefit buyers. Rather, it could provide some wiggle room for people looking to upgrade their home. That in turn might marginally expand the number of starter homes on the market.</div>
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People will continue to move away from costly housing markets</h6>
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A trend that picked up pace in 2018 was the exodus from some of the nation’s priciest housing markets. Millions of people <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/with-no-letup-in-home-prices-the-california-exodus-surges-2018-05-03" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">have chosen to leave California,</a> for instance, and <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/people-are-leaving-california-in-drovesand-this-is-where-they-are-going-2018-05-31" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">have headed toward </a>Sun Belt cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix.</div>
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That trend won’t stop in 2019, which is good news for people looking to sell homes in smaller cities. “Home buyers are going to look for affordability and, often times, that will mean moving from a high cost major market to a lower cost secondary market,” Hale said. Many of these cities, such as Raleigh, N.C., and Nashville, Tenn., have growing economies and healthy job markets, further sweetening the deal.</div>
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Another factor that could fuel migration in the future is the new tax code signed into law by President Trump in 2017, which removed the deductions for state and local taxes. Taxpayers will only fully feel the effects of that change for the first time next spring as they receive their refund checks in the mail, said Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow <span class="quote bgQuote down" data-bgformat="" data-channel="/quotes/zigman/47205689/composite" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="qt-chip trackable" data-fancyid="XNASStockZG" data-track-mod="MW_story_quote" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/zg?mod=MW_story_quote" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #bc4550; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ZG, <span class="bgPercentChange" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">-0.24%</span></a></span></div>
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“You’ve already seen some of the backlash to the tax bill in the elections that happened in New Jersey and Orange County,” Terrazas said. “Whether or not it spurs migrations, that’s something that happens pretty slowly. People certainly get upset and vote. Actually picking up and moving is a whole other level of seriousness.”</div>
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The threat of a recession remains a big question mark</h6>
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The economy is still strong, but it’s unclear for how long that will continue to be the case. Economists have predicted that a recession <a class="icon none" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/want-to-buy-a-home-you-might-want-to-wait-2018-08-28" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #648c94; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">could come as soon as late 2019</a>.</div>
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Whenever it occurs, the recession is sure to shrink demand for homes and cause prices and sales to drop. The magnitude of those effects will depend on how bad the recession is. In short, the more jobs that are lost, the more hard-hit the housing market will be.</div>
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And the housing market may begin to feel the recession before it even starts. With memories of the pre-2008 housing bubble still fresh in people’s minds, would-be homebuyers may be hesitant to purchase a property if they believe they’d be buying at the top of the market in doing so.</div>
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“That could be more detrimental to the housing market than the actual underlying issues,” Blomquist said.</div>
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<em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This story was updated on Dec. 19, 2018.</em></div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-2019-wont-lead-to-a-home-buyers-market-2018-11-28</i></span></span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-12199547942499341122019-01-09T12:20:00.000-08:002019-01-09T12:20:28.970-08:00Experts Weigh in on What the 2019 Housing Market Will Bring<section class="col-xs-12 layout" id="top-content" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213) !important; border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; float: left; font-family: FranklinPro, FranklinITCProLight, "Franklin Gothic Medium", "Franklin Gothic", "ITC Franklin Gothic", "Apple SD Gothic Neo", "Myriad Set Pro", "Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue Light", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; min-height: 1px; outline: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px !important; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1079.19px;"><div class="moat-trackable pb-f-theme-normal pb-f-dehydrate-false pb-f-async-false full pb-feature pb-layout-item pb-f-article-article-topper" data-chain-name="no-name" data-feature-id="article/article-topper" data-feature-name="no-name" data-pb-fingerprint="0f2iLQhOKq3" id="fjqTTf1KCqwXdr" moat-id="article/article-topper" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1069.19px;">
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Experts Weigh in on What the 2019 Housing Market Will Bring</h1>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="TNTKC2QQFEI6TDYMN6DYUJRIRI" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1955a5; font-size: 18.7905px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><img class="hi-res-upsize courtesy-of-the-lazy-loader" data-hi-res-src="https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/lCezECLKpUV8U_Hcrf6RhQ_rzh4=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TNTKC2QQFEI6TDYMN6DYUJRIRI.jpg" data-low-res-src="https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/F1ybIShS5uWWgJTEAVKoRn454Rc=/480x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TNTKC2QQFEI6TDYMN6DYUJRIRI.jpg" data-raw-src="https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TNTKC2QQFEI6TDYMN6DYUJRIRI.jpg" data-threshold="480" src="https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/lCezECLKpUV8U_Hcrf6RhQ_rzh4=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TNTKC2QQFEI6TDYMN6DYUJRIRI.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: zoom-in; font-size: 18.7905px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 629.531px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="pb-caption" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e6e6e; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rising mortgage rates and home prices are hindering the housing market. But one encouraging sign has been the uptick in townhouse construction, a more affordable single-family option. (Seth Wenig/AP)</span></div>
<div class="author-sig-line-wrapper" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: inline-block; flex-direction: column; font-family: FranklinPro, FranklinITCProLight, "Franklin Gothic Medium", "Franklin Gothic", "ITC Franklin Gothic", "Apple SD Gothic Neo", "Myriad Set Pro", "Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue Light", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; max-width: inherit !important; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="author-wrapper" data-authorname="Kathy Orton" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
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A year ago, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">several experts predicted</span> the new tax law would cause a slowdown in the housing market. So far, the limitations on mortgage-interest and property-tax deductions haven’t had a negative impact. Instead, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">rising mortgage rates</span> and <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">home prices</span> are doing more to put a damper on the market.</div>
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Economic uncertainty brought on by <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">global trade tensions</span>, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">stock market volatility</span> and the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">government shutdown</span> also isn’t helping. In this environment, potential home buyers can be reluctant to make a large purchase such as a house. The last sustained government shutdown in 2013 saw a slump in home sales.</div>
<div data-elm-loc="3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: calc(16.4px + 0.175vw); line-height: calc(1.5em + 0.3333vw); margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is too soon to tell whether the recent decline is a temporary lull or a major pullback.</div>
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In their forecasts for 2019, real estate experts anticipate the housing market slowing down, but not stalling, with prices and mortgage rates moderating.</div>
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“If mortgage rates trend sideways next year, as we anticipate, and home price appreciation continues to moderate, improving affordability should <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">breathe some life into the housing market</span>,” said Doug G. Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae.</div>
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Below is a snapshot of what housing experts are forecasting for 2019.</div>
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National Association of Realtors</h2>
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The National Association of Realtors expects home sales to flatten and home prices to continue to increase, though at a slower pace.</div>
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“<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">The forecast for home sales will be very boring</span> — meaning stable,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.</div>
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NAR expects sales to increase 1 percent to about 5.4 million and the median home price to rise 3.1 percent to around $266,800 in 2019, and $274,000 in 2020.</div>
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“Home-price appreciation will slow down,” Yun said. “The days of easy price gains are coming to an end, but prices will continue to rise.” <span style="font-size: calc(16.4px + 0.175vw);">Inventory continues to be a concern.</span></div>
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"All indications are that we have a housing shortage,” Yun said. “If you look at population growth and job growth, it is clear that we are not producing enough houses.”</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 27.83px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Realtor.com</span></h2>
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Because of diminishing affordability from mortgage rate and price increases, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Realtor.com</span> forecasts a 2 percent decline in home sales. But buyers looking for high-end homes in pricey metro areas should have more options.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Realtor.com</span> expects price growth to slow, rising just 2.2 percent in 2019.</div>
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“Inventory will continue to increase next year, but unless there is a major shift in the economic trajectory, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">we don’t expect a buyer’s market</span> on the horizon within the next five years,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist for <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Realtor.com</span>.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Realtor.com</span> has mortgage rates averaging 5.3 percent in the coming year and reaching 5.5 percent by the end of 2019, making the average home purchase 8 percent more expensive per month than 2018.</div>
<div data-elm-loc="24" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: calc(16.4px + 0.175vw); line-height: calc(1.5em + 0.3333vw); margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: FranklinPro, FranklinITCProLight, "Franklin Gothic Medium", "Franklin Gothic", "ITC Franklin Gothic", "Apple SD Gothic Neo", "Myriad Set Pro", "Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue Light", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: calc(21px + 0.5vw);">Zillow</span></div>
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According to Zillow, rising mortgage rates are encouraging homeowners to stay put and discouraging would-be buyers.</div>
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“<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Rising mortgage rates will set the scene</span> for the housing market in 2019,” said Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow. “They will affect everyone, driving up costs for home buyers and creating more demand for rentals. Even current homeowners could start to feel locked into their mortgage rates.”</div>
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Zillow anticipates mortgage rates will reach 5.8 percent and home values will grow by 3.79 percent in 2019.</div>
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National Association of Home Builders</h2>
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After a strong start last year, home-builder confidence fell to its lowest level in more than three years by the end of 2018. Several of the big home builders downgraded their sales or orders forecasts for 2019.</div>
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“The market has slowed,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. “We’ve revised our forecast down.” <span style="font-size: calc(16.4px + 0.175vw);">Builders face significant head winds because of the “five Ls” — labor, lots, laws, lending and lumber. A labor shortage, lack of buildable lots, onerous regulations, strict lending and tariffs on supplies such as lumber have increased their costs.</span></div>
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NAHB predicts new-home sales will be around 628,000, the same as in 2018. Single-family construction, which includes for-sale and not-for-sale homes, will increase nearly 2 percent from 2018 to around 900,000 units. Based on demographics, that’s 200,000 to 300,000 less than the market could absorb and well below the average number of starts pre-housing crash. From 2000 to 2003, the average was 1.3 million.</div>
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Builders have taken a lot of heat for not building enough homes or building primarily luxury homes. But Dietz said there has been an uptick in townhouse construction, a more affordable single-family option. <span style="font-size: calc(16.4px + 0.175vw);">“The market has been moving away from higher-end, higher-priced, larger homes over the last two or three years to more entry level,” he said. “Our surveys show we’ve gone from a new construction market that had been less than 20 percent dedicated to first-time home buyers to now closer to 30 percent, which is closer to historic norms.”</span></div>
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Mortgage Bankers Association</h2>
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The Mortgage Bankers Association expects <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">moderate growth in home purchase mortgage originations</span>, with refinance volume continuing to decline. It anticipates the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will level out at 5.1 percent.</div>
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“The supply of homes for sale and lack of affordability continue to be challenges for the housing market,” wrote MBA economists Michael Fratantoni and Joel Kan. “Even with the anticipated cool down in economic growth, we expect that housing demand will remain strong, mortgage rates will stabilize, wage growth will increase and home price growth will moderate, providing favorable conditions for growth in the home purchase market.”</div>
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Greg McBride, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18.7905px;">Bankrate.com</span>’s chief financial analyst, predicts the 30-year fixed rate will pass 5.25 percent before going into a swoon late in the year to finish around 4.35 percent.</div>
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As the Federal Reserve trims its balance sheet and pushes up short-term interest rates, HELOCs (home equity line of credit) could be affected because many are tied to the prime rate, which follows the Fed’s benchmark rate.</div>
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“Each rate hike means the minimum payment on a $30,000 home-equity line increases by $6,” McBride said. “I expect the Fed to raise rates twice next year, bringing the increase in minimum payments to $12.50 per month by year end.”</div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/01/07/experts-weigh-what-housing-market-will-bring/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ad25b12296b2</span></div>
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</section>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-58209869947758534112019-01-02T11:16:00.000-08:002019-01-02T11:16:19.091-08:005 New Year's Resolutions for Your Home<br />
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<span class="o-AssetTitle__a-HeadlineText" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Home</span></h1>
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Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home?</div>
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Here are our five picks for the best home improvement resolutions for the new year and how to achieve them:</div>
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1: Clear the Clutter</h2>
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One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter.</div>
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Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most. (All that clutter also makes your house look dated and dirty, designers say.)</div>
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A good place to start is the closet. Begin by removing every item from your closet and setting it aside (you'll be surprised by the amount of stuff you actually have). Give the space a good vacuum & wipe down before you start loading it up again. Make sure you absolutely love each item before it goes back into your closet. Anything you haven't worn in the past 6 months, needs to go. </div>
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This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After that, think twice about what you bring in, says Antoinette Nue, an Atlanta consultant who specializes in helping people simplify and go green.</div>
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"Fill your home with the things that raise your energy level and make you feel good, and get rid of the things that drain your energy or are broken," she says.</div>
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Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets. Group similar items together on sleek trays, says Stuart McCormick, a designer with Liz Levin Interiors in Washington D.C.</div>
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Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis. And get ready to breathe a little easier in your own home. </div>
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2: Make it safe and sound</h2>
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Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe? There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk.</div>
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First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe, according to the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/radon/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0fadc4; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels. And with test kits costing as little as $20 at your local hardware store, there's no reason not to get right on that.</div>
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While we're on the subject of deadly gas, make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up in your house and kill you. Like a radon test, this is a small investment — $40 or more — for such an important safeguard.</div>
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Watch out for dryer lint. We know you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year.</div>
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It's also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. </div>
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<img alt="Climate Control" class="photo-gallery-launch a-Image" data-type="launch-gallery-modal" src="https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2017/6/13/0/UR17_Master-Bedroom_00892.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1497385189612.jpeg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: zoom-in; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 616px;" title="Climate Control" /></div>
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Christopher Shane</div>
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Make sure your house can breathe. Hickory Hills, Ill. home inspector Jack McGraw is always surprised at how many people's bathrooms and attics aren't vented to the outside (or the vents are covered over with shingles.) This makes you a prime candidate for mold.</div>
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And if you're considering a remodel — and your home was last built or remodeled before 1978 — consider testing for lead paint and asbestos flooring. It will have to handled properly during removal, or particles can be released into the air for you to ingest.</div>
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3: Shrink your bills (and your carbon footprint in the process)</h2>
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When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference.</div>
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Not so, says Bob Schildgen, who wrote the "Hey Mr. Green" column for <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sierra</i> magazine. It just takes a little old-fashioned common sense.</div>
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The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:</div>
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- Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room.</div>
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- Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and dial your heater down to 55 degrees at night.</div>
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- Install LED bulbs and low-flow showerheads.</div>
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- Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.</div>
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- Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.</div>
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- Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary.</div>
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- Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you.</div>
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4: Work out a weekly system for keeping your house clean</h2>
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Here are a few tips for keeping the mess under control from Jeff Campbell, author of the book <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Speed Cleaning</i> and owner of the Clean Team housekeeping service in San Francisco.</div>
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Flynnside Out Productions</div>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daily</span>: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night - no excuses! Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place.</div>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Weekly</span>: Clean your entire house, using these tips:</div>
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- Keep all of your cleaners, as well as rubber gloves and spare cleaning cloths - in a portable carryall that moves with you from room to room.</div>
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- Stash cleaning implements such as a toothbrush, scraper, sponge, a few cleaning cloths and plastic bags in a builder's apron that you wear when you clean. Hook your glass cleaner and all-purpose cleaning spray on the loops to keep your hands free as you work around the room clockwise, cleaning from high (cabinets) to low (floors.)</div>
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- Focus on one type of cleaning at a time. It's faster, Campbell says. Wipe down fingerprints on all of the cabinets, for instance, before moving on to spraying and wiping counters. Then move on to windows and mirrors and appliances. Once that's done move on to sweeping and then mopping floors.</div>
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- For optimum efficiency, enlist the help of your family. If you can, divide the jobs among at least three parties: One of you can do the dusting/vacuuming and changing beds, the other can do the bathroom cleanup, leaving only the kitchen and trash emptying for you to handle. The upside? You can get the whole house done in 45 minutes, Campbell says, leaving more time on the weekends for the park or the movies.</div>
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5: Get your place ready for entertaining</h2>
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Each year most of us vow to spend more time with family and friends. To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update?</div>
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You don't have go for broke here and invest in a new kitchen remodel. All it takes to get a fresh new look is a little bit of rearranging and a few updates, says designer McCormick.</div>
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<img alt="Eclectic Living Room With Green Sofa" class="photo-gallery-launch a-Image" data-type="launch-gallery-modal" src="https://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/15/1/CI_PaperDaisyDesign_living-room_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.suffix/1502908233800.jpeg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: zoom-in; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 616px;" title="Eclectic Living Room With Green Sofa" /></div>
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Courtesy of Paper Daisy Design</div>
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One easy update that makes your home seem more "finished" is the addition of plants, she says.</div>
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"They bring in new energy and help clean the air," she says. "And it's a great way to decorate if you're on a budget."</div>
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A couple of dramatic presentations like a large flowering agapanthus or potted palm in a bright ceramic planter that complements your existing color scheme will do the trick.</div>
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Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a new pillow or throw to update your look, McCormick advises. A colorful rug or runner can also help anchor your space.</div>
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Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might up for chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/5-new-years-resolutions-for-your-home</span>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-1061660633013377942018-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:002018-12-19T09:39:29.315-08:00FIRPTA Q&A <h1 style="color: #013a6f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 30px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">FIRPTA: Frequently Asked Questions</span></h1>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: Who is responsible for FIRPTA withholding?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: The IRS rules place the responsibility for withholding potential income tax due in the amount of 10% of the purchase price on the buyer of the real property from a foreign entity. The real property becomes the security for the IRS to ensure that they receive taxes that are due to them. If the payment is not made by the buyer, the IRS can seize the real property (or other assets of the buyer).</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: Can’t the buyer assign the responsibility for withholding to the settlement or escrow agent?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: There are no provisions in the IRS rules for the buyer to assign their responsibility to anyone else, including the escrow or real estate agents. The escrow agent cannot provide legal or tax advice.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The seller is foreign, but has a social security number. We’re okay, right?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: If the seller is foreign, it is likely they do not have a social security number. Foreign citizens doing business and earning income in the United States are required to have taxpayer identification numbers (TINS). These look similar to social security numbers. The test of whether FIRPTA withholding is required or not, is a statement made by the seller under penalty of perjury that they are not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: I don’t understand what that means, “not a non-resident alien”. What does that mean?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: Another way to explain that (although it may not cover all situations) is that the seller must either be a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a green card.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The seller is taking a loss on their home. They don’t need to pay FIRPTA withholding, right?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: Under FIRPTA there is no automatic exemption from withholding if the seller is taking a loss or no gain. If a foreign seller feels they are exempt from FIRPTA withholding because there is no gain on the sale, they need to consult with a tax expert and may find they need to apply for a withholding certificate from the IRS that will grant them the exemption on the transaction using IRS form 8288-B. If this is the case, this should occur early on in the transaction.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: A foreign seller doesn’t have a TIN and is willing to pay the IRS. Can the money just be sent to the IRS without a TIN?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: No, the IRS requires that sellers of real property have TINs.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: A foreign seller only owns a portion of the property. How much money does the foreign seller owe?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: The foreign seller will owe withholding on their percentage of ownership of the property.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The property is under $300,000 and the buyer is going to live in it. Doesn’t that automatically exempt it from withholding?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: The buyer must agree to sign an affidavit stating that the purchase price is under $300,000 and the buyer intends to occupy. The buyer may choose not to sign the form, in which case withholding must be done.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: Isn’t a transaction from a foreign seller to a foreign buyer exempt from withholding?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: No. The same rules apply, and both parties are required to have TINs.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The FIRPTA withholding was paid at close of escrow, but not that much money was due to the IRS. How does the seller get their money back?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: The seller can either in advance of closing file an 8288-B Application for Withholding Certificate to request a reduced amount or no withholding. The seller can also file a tax return the following year to obtain any refund due. A CPA or other tax expert should be consulted for guidance.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The sellers and buyer don’t want to pay a CPA to answer their questions. Can’t the real estate person or escrow person help with FIRPTA questions?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: Escrow personnel and real estate agents may have experience with FIRPTA, but are not qualified to provide advice on individual taxpayer’s situations.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white;">Q: The seller lives in another country, but says they are a U.S. citizen. Isn’t withholding required?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">A: U.S. citizens may be living in other countries. Current residency is not a good indication of FIRPTA status.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #464646; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://www.firstam.com/title/az/resources/foreign-transaction-resource/firpta-frequently-asked-questions.html</span></span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-28582652273433460982018-12-12T09:05:00.000-08:002018-12-12T09:05:09.778-08:00What is FIRPTA? <h2>
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What is <b>FIRPTA</b>?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FIRPTA is the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980. It is a United States tax law that imposes income tax of foreign persons disposing of US real property interests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Why Was FIRPTA Created?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For domestic citizens, capital gains tax money is taken out of your regular income tax. In contrast, f</span><span style="background-color: white;">oreign persons are taxed only on certain items of income and are not taxed on most capital gains items, including real estate. This being the case, FIRPTA was put into place to ensure that the government gets their piece of the pie when a foreign person living in the US sells real estate. It applies to almost any sale where a foreign owner of a US property sells said property.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Federal Withholdings:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To ensure the taxes are collected, buyers of real estate that fall under this tax act are required to withhold 10% of the sales price from the seller and deposit it with the IRS. This 10% deposit is applied to taxes owed on the sale (or transfer) of the property. If the actual taxes are calculated to be less than 10% of the sales price, the seller will receive a refund for the difference. If no taxes were owed, the entire deposit is refunded to the seller.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">President Obama enacted the Protecting Americans for Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. This law creates significant changes to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA).</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>What does this new rule change about withholding requirements?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The path act increases the FIRPTA base withholding rate from 10% to 15% of the amount realized on the sale of real property by a foreign person (or transferor). If the sales price does not exceed $1,000,000, Real Property sold by a foreign person that is to be used as a residence by the buyer qualifies for a reduced rate of 10%. If the buyer is not using the property as a residence, the new 15% withholding rate is for all transactions. If the price is higher than $1,000,000, the 15% withholding rate is applicable for all transactions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>What are the benefits?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The PATH Act benefits the real estate industry by doubling the maximum amount of stock ownership a foreign person may have in a real estate investment trust (REIT) from 5% to 10%. Another additional benefit is that the law permits certain foreign pension funds to invest in REITs without having FIRPTA withholding apply. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Exemptions to the Rule</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If one or more of these circumstances apply, a seller may be exempt from this law:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sales price is less than $300,000 and the buyer has definite plans to reside in the home for at least 50% of the first 24 months that the property is being used by any person</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The seller provides written certification that they are not a foreign person</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The buyer recieves a withholding certificate from the IRS that excuses the withholding</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The amount the seller realizes on the sale or transfer of the property interest is zero</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://go.homebay.com/learning-center/firpta-affidavit</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/firpta-withholding</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Fidelity National Title</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "nunito sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-10484684879602722342018-12-05T12:34:00.001-08:002018-12-05T12:34:55.911-08:00When Was the Last Time You Cleaned These 20 Items in Your Home?<h1 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; clear: both; color: #1e232b; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 3.8em; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When Was the Last Time You Cleaned These 20 Items in Your Home?</h1>
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Did you know there are 10 MILLION bacteria per square inch of a kitchen sponge? (<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2235650/The-kitchen-sponge-200-000-times-dirtier-toilet-seat--lead-PARALYSIS.html" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dailymail.co.uk</a>) What about the fact that your pillow is as germy as a TOILET SEAT! (<a href="http://nypost.com/2015/11/03/your-pillow-is-as-germy-as-a-toilet-seat/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NY Post</a>) Those are just two of the mind blowing (and scary) facts about common household items that are probably not getting cleaned as regularly as they should be. With that said (or rather written:) here are 20 items that you should give a little extra TLC to this weekend!</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Remote Control</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-tv-remote-right-way-t92196" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Good Housekeeping spilled the dirty truth</a> on the Today Show by reminding us that while we know remotes are often the dirtiest item in a hotel room the same holds true for our homes. You should clean this, and game controllers, once a month with some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip for those hard to reach spots.</div>
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<img alt="Portrait of handsome young black man watching tv at home." class="size-full wp-image-39973" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-544995194.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-544995194.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-544995194-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stove Knobs</strong></div>
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Cleaning stove knobs can be a pain but it is an important part of keeping your kitchen free of icky germs we spread from handling food. For a quick clean simply pull off the knobs and soak them in a bowl of white vinegar.</div>
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<img alt="Oven knobs" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39976" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-177842520.jpg" height="482" sizes="(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-177842520.jpg 725w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-177842520-300x199.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="725" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dishwasher</strong></div>
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Sometimes we forget to clean the things that clean <img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11/svg/1f642.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /> Add cleaning this appliance at least once a month to your to do list. <a href="http://consumerreports.org/dishwashers/how-to-clean-a-dishwasher/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here is how to do it.</a></div>
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<img alt="Smiling man using dishwasher." class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39977" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-535969815.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-535969815.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-535969815-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Light Switches</strong></div>
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“When cleaning your house, keep one thing in mind: If hands touch it, it needs cleaning” says Karen Gibbs of TODAY. So how often should you actually clean switches? The answer is weekly! <a href="http://www.today.com/home/how-clean-light-switch-plates-t106969" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Learn the best way to clean them here.</a></div>
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<img alt="Baby hand touching a panel with five light switches" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39975" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-174939453.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-174939453.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-174939453-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Door Knobs</strong></div>
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I think we are all guilty of forgetting this one…especially the doorknobs outside! Cleaning professionals recommend wiping down doorknobs with a household cleaner or disinfecting wipe about once a week.</div>
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<img alt="Children hand open door handle" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39978" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-539164553.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-539164553.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-539164553-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Garbage Cans</strong></div>
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Sure you take the trash out when the bag is full but when was the last time you actually scrubbed the inside of the can? And how about the can(s) outside?</div>
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<img alt="Open trash can in empty room with wood flooring, blue wainscoting and a power outlet." class="size-full wp-image-39979" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157567947.jpg" height="482" sizes="(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157567947.jpg 725w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157567947-300x199.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="725" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Comforter</strong></div>
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You may change your sheets every week (or every other week) but when was the last time you cleaned your comforter? The experts at Good Housekeeping suggest cleaning it once a season.</div>
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<img alt="Teddy bear on bed" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39980" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-528290680.jpg" height="482" sizes="(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-528290680.jpg 725w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-528290680-300x199.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="725" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pillows</strong></div>
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Dust mites, pet hair and and dead skin…oh my. Gross, right? Yes, I agree. But sadly all of these things might be living in and on the place where you lay your head to sleep each night. Interior design expert Robin Wilson recommends washing your pillow cover every three weeks in the washing machine. Then, wash the pillow itself every three months. (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/09/16/when-to-replace-pillow-gross_n_5628180.html" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Huffington Post</a>)</div>
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<img alt="Unmade bed with white pillow and messy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39981" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-516760648.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-516760648.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-516760648-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Keurig/Coffee Maker</strong></div>
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Is your morning cup of Joe contaminated? We hope not. To be sure experts recommend that a Keurig be cleaned (and descaled) every 3-6 months. Wondering how to clean it? <a href="http://www.keurig.com/descale" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here you go</a>.</div>
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<img alt="coffee maker" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39982" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-155378251.jpg" height="683" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-155378251.jpg 512w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-155378251-225x300.jpg 225w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="512" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dish Sponge</strong></div>
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Did you know that a kitchen sponge is actually 200,000 times DIRTIER than a toilet seat? (<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2235650/The-kitchen-sponge-200-000-times-dirtier-toilet-seat--lead-PARALYSIS.html" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dailymail.co.uk</a>) <a href="http://www.stasseninsurance.com/our-blog/how_to_sterilize_your_kitchen_sponges/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Learn how to clean your sponge here</a>. Also, if your sponge is over a month old then toss it.</div>
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<img alt="Hand with sponge above kitchen sink" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39983" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-518199950.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-518199950.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-518199950-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Drying Rack</strong></div>
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Anything that has standing water in it tends to be…well…stinky. Be sure you scrub down that drying rack every few days to avoid a slimy mess.</div>
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<img alt="Dish rack on kitchen countertop" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39994" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-158720500.jpg" height="496" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-158720500.jpg 704w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-158720500-300x211.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="704" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Top of the Fan</strong></div>
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Cleaning a ceiling fan can be a dirty and dusty job if you let it go too long. Real Simple suggests cleaning fans every other month if you use the fan year round. <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/worst-cleaning-jobs-made-easy/cleaning-ceiling-fan-blades" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are some helpful tips for getting it clean.</a></div>
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<img alt="A spinning ceiling fan -- but it's not in a home, it's in a rural barn -- that's why you can see wooden rafters and a steel roof, and lots of dirt, dust, and cobwebs if you zoom in." class="size-full wp-image-39984 aligncenter" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-184849392.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-184849392.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-184849392-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pet Toys</strong></div>
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If your house is anything like mine then there are more toys than your little fur baby could possibly ever need. It is important to give their toys some cleaning tlc regularly as they often end up in their mouths. <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Dog-Toys" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are some great tips on how to keep them clean.</a></div>
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<img alt="Brown sleeping dog with paw on pink monkey cuddly toy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39985" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-168784107.jpg" height="724" sizes="(max-width: 483px) 100vw, 483px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-168784107.jpg 483w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-168784107-200x300.jpg 200w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="483" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lint Trap</strong></div>
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This is a super important one not only to keep your home clean but also safe! “The U.S. Fire<b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b>Administration (part of FEMA) cites that there are 2900 home clothes <b style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dryer </b>fires every year resulting in an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. And the leading cause: failure to clean them.” (cushmaninsure.com)</div>
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<img alt="Dryer vent in a home being cleaned out with a round brush. There is a large pile of lint that has been removed from the vent on a white tiled floor. The walls and baseboards are white. The lint is gray. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark 3 camera. rm" class="size-full wp-image-39986" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-494508096.jpg" height="481" sizes="(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-494508096.jpg 726w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-494508096-300x199.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="726" /><br />
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Dryer vent in a home being cleaned out with a round brush.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Washing Machine</strong></div>
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Washing machines are pretty clean since you use often use hot water to clean your clothes but they still need attention about once a month. To clean your washer just run an empty load with hot water and bleach.</div>
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<img alt="Shot of a young family having fun while doing laundry" class="size-full wp-image-39987 aligncenter" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-520941909.jpg" height="691" sizes="(max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-520941909.jpg 506w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-520941909-220x300.jpg 220w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="506" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Toothbrush Holder</strong></div>
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According to <a href="http://www.nsf.org/newsroom/kitchen-is-germiest-place-in-home-according-to-recent-study-by-nsf" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NSF International</a>, this is one of the germiest items in a home. Pretty gross considering it holds the item you clean you mouth with.</div>
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<img alt="Single toothbrush in white beveled cup against blue tile" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39989" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-97787178.jpg" height="488" sizes="(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-97787178.jpg 716w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-97787178-300x204.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="716" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sofa</strong></div>
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According to thesweethome.com you should be cleaning your sofa with a vacuum every 2 weeks and it should get a deep clean once a year. Hey, the silver-lining is you may find some spare change while you are flipping those couch cushions over!</div>
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<img alt="Cleaning Sofa Pillow" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39991" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-181884401.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-181884401.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-181884401-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Toilet Bowl Handle</strong></div>
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Think outside of the<br />
<del style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">box</del> bowl. Use a disinfectant wipe and make sure to close the lid to avoid airborne germs!</div>
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<img alt="All done!" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39990" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-187229779.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-187229779.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-187229779-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ice Trays</strong></div>
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Does your ice taste funny? There is a chance that may be from the ice tray being dirty and not actually your water. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/do-you-need-to-clean-your-ice-cube-tray_n_1613324.html" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here is a quick way to clean it.</a></div>
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<img alt="Stacked ice cube trays in a freezer" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39995" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157582012.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157582012.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-157582012-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make Up Brushes</strong></div>
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Brushing bacteria onto your face may not be your first thought you have as you apply powder, blush or eye shadow to your face but if you aren’t cleaning them regularly it is exactly what you are doing. Make sure to clean all of your brushes once a month.</div>
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<img alt="brushes on eye shadows palette" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39997" src="http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-484731256.jpg" height="483" sizes="(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-484731256.jpg 724w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GettyImages-484731256-300x200.jpg 300w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="724" /></div>
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Is your home currently on the market with Robin & Paul at Coldwell Banker Real Estate? </div>
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If not, give us a call, we are here to help!</div>
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Robin 970.270.8601 or robin.levine@gjhomes.com</div>
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<div style="color: #1e232b; font-family: "pt serif", arial, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Paul 970.778.7753 or paul.zurek@gjhomes.com </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="color: #1e232b; font-family: pt serif, arial, serif;">https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/last-time-cleaned-20-items-home/</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-19720507416523182962018-11-28T10:07:00.001-08:002018-11-28T10:07:34.405-08:00Are REITs Beneficial During A High-Interest Era?<div class="layout-title article-author-bar" style="-webkit-text-stroke: 0.16px; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Are REITs Beneficial During A High-Interest Era?</h1>
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When <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interestrate.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">interest rates</a> rise, investors run for cover – and for any good <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/asset.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">asset </a>they </div>
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can find. <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/alternative_investment.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Alternative investments</a> like <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reit.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">real estate investment trusts (REITs)</a> can</div>
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be a good option, at least according to the historical data. Let's see how REITs </div>
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performed during periods with high and low interest rates.</div>
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A Quick REIT Recap</h2>
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A REIT is a publicly traded <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/security.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">security</a> that invests in <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/realestate.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">real estate</a> through <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/real-property.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">property</a> </div>
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or <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mortgage.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">mortgages</a>, and whose price fluctuates on major <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/exchange.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">exchanges </a>like those of a stock. </div>
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As a result, REITs offer high level of <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/liquidity.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">liquidity</a> (a rare quality when dealing with real estate). </div>
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The trusts often specialize in specific property types, such as residential apartments, </div>
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commercial buildings, warehouses or hotel facilities. REITs are also available in regional variants, </div>
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concentrating on real estate in specific countries/regions like the U.S., </div>
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Europe, China or Japan. (For more, see: <em><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/10/real-estate-investment-trust-reit.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">5 Types Of REITs And How To Invest In Them</a></em>.)</div>
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REITs offer many benefits, including diversification, the aforementioned liquidity, a small </div>
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amount of investment, and <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tax-benefit.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">tax benefits</a> (depending upon local laws). </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">(See</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"> </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/walkthrough/fund-guide/uit-hedge-fund-reit/real-estate-investment-trusts/investing-in-reits.aspx" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Investing In REITs</a></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">for a bigger explanation.)</span></div>
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REIT Returns Vs. Interest Rates</h2>
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A <a href="https://www.reit.com/data-research/research/market-commentary/listed-reit-stock-correlation-and-beta-12-year-low" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">report from REIT.com</a> shows a historically low level of <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/correlation.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">correlation</a> (how two securities </div>
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move in relation to each other) between REITs and the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stockmarket.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">stock market</a>. The same report shows </div>
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similar low levels of correlation between REITs and <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond-yield.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">bond yields.</a></div>
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<a href="https://i.investopedia.com/u53524/reits-correlation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="REITS-Correlation" border="0" height="105" src="https://i.investopedia.com/u53524/reits-correlation.png" style="border: medium none; max-width: 100%;" title="REITS.com" width="320" /></a>(A trimmed table is below with the </div>
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REITs-bonds correlation highlighted.)</div>
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<em>Image courtesy <a href="https://www.reit.com/data-research/research/market-commentary/listed-reit-stock-correlation-and-beta-12-year-low" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">REITS.com</a>.</em></div>
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A similar historical comparison between returns </div>
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from a popular REIT index and 10-year bond interest rates indicates an inverse relation. </div>
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We plot the annual returns of the popular FTSE NAREIT All REITs Index against the interest rates </div>
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of 10-year <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/treasurybond.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Treasury bonds</a>:</div>
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<em>Chart based on REITs index data sourced from <a href="https://www.reit.com/investing/index-data/annual-index-values-returns" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">REIT.com</a> (left axis) and 10-year Treasury bond data </em></div>
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<em>sourced from <a href="https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/DGS10/downloaddata" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">stlouisfed.org</a> (right axis).</em></div>
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<a href="https://i.investopedia.com/u53524/reits-returns-trasury-interest-rates.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="REITs-Interest Rates Chart" border="0" height="196" src="https://i.investopedia.com/u53524/reits-returns-trasury-interest-rates.png" style="border: medium none; max-width: 100%;" title="Shobhit Seth" width="320" /></a>As evident from the graph above that covers 45 years, </div>
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rising interest rates appear bad for REIT returns and vice versa. </div>
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During the high interest rate periods of 1980-1985, the returns </div>
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from REITs were lower, while they shot up after 2008 when </div>
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interest rates touched record lows. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">However, there are other </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">factors and other detailed observations to consider, which may </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">indicate positive returns for REITs investments even during the </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">high interest rate era. Drill down into specific time periods </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">when interest rates were high </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">and interesting observations emerge:</span></div>
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Since 1981, interest rates have been on a downward trend; there were a few sporadic </div>
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spikes in the interim years, but overall it <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">has been a consistent decline </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">(though, as of October 2018, they have begun inching up again). for interest rates. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">With each passing five- or </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">10-year period, a lower range of interest rates was considered “high.”</span></div>
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1979-1984</b>: This period saw interest rates in the high range of 10% - 14%. </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">The return from REITs were also in the high range of 9% - 32%.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b>1991-1997</b>: This period saw a new range of high interest rates, </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">which varied from 6% - 8%. The return from the REIT Index was </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">in the range of 12% - 36%, with the exception of 1% during 1994.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b>2000-2001</b>: The next high interest range was during 2000-2001 period, </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">when rates hovered around 5.5%. Returns from REITs ranged from 16% to 26%.</span><br /><div style="padding-bottom: 10px;">
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<i>How did the REITs rates fare during the interim low-interest periods?</i></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b>1973-1974</b>: Interest rates were comparatively lower, ranging from 6.9% to </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">7.4% (compared to high range of 10% to 14% the following years). REITs </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">performed badly with annual losses in the range of -42% to -27%.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b>1998-1999</b>: The interest rates were in range of 4% - 5.5%, and the returns </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">from REITs were still negative to the tune of -18% to -6%.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"><b>2007-2012</b>: As interest rates dipped progressively from 4% to less than 2%, </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">REITs earned consistent yearly losses in the range of -45% to -5%, with only </span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">one exception of positive returns in 2009.</span><br /><div style="padding-bottom: 10px;">
These observations indicate that REITs may not really have any dependency on interest rates scenarios. </div>
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The returns from REIT investments may actually remain free from interest rate variations.</div>
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REIT Benefits to Investors</h2>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">There are other benefits of REITs, which make them a good investment choice even during high </span></div>
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interest periods:</div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-weight: 600;">Income Opportunity</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">: REITs are considered</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/y/yield.asp" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">yield</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">-based securities. While they can </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">appreciate in price, a considerable portion of REIT returns is from</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dividend.asp" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">dividends</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">. REITs </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">avoid having to pay corporate tax if they distribute at least 90% of their income to their </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">unit holders. This tax break results in a regular distribution of dividend income to REIT</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shareholder.asp" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">shareholders</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">, and the effective net yields are often higher than the ones from bonds </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">(or stocks), even in cases of high interest rates.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-weight: 600;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-weight: 600;">Global Diversification</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">: REITs offer exposure to global markets. Since the 1990s, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">the U.K., Singapore, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa and many others </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">countries have enabled REIT listings, allowing investors to take exposure in real estate </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">markets of foreign nations. For example, if the local real estate market in the U.S. tanks </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">due to effects of higher interest rates, a U.S. investor with exposure to the Singapore </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">real estate market can benefit if he holds REITs in Singapore real estate in his portfolio.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-weight: 600;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-weight: 600;">Sector Specific Exposure</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">: In the event of rising interest rates, not all the sub-sectors </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">within real estate may get hit adversely. For example, residential rents may suffer, but </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">shopping centers in prime locations may not. Careful study of the real estate market, the </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">impacts of interest rates on a specific sub-sector, and on specific REITs based on its underlying </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">property holding, can make REIT investment profitable no matter the interest rate impact. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">(For more, see:</span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;"> <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/081915/3-hotel-reits-outperformed-market.asp" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">3 Hotel REITs that Outperformed the Market</a> </em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">and </span></div>
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<em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/walkthrough/fund-guide/uit-hedge-fund-reit/real-estate-investment-trusts/residential-heathcare-office-reits.aspx" style="color: #005b9d; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Residential, Healthcare And Office REITs</a></em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">.)</span><br /><h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; color: #362f2d; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 25px; margin: 0.1em 0px;">
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The Bottom Line</h2>
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After looking at correlation patterns and historical data, it appears that returns from </div>
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REITs remain independent of interest rate periods. After careful study and proper </div>
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selection of real-estate sub-sectors and geographic regions, investors can consider </div>
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REITs a good alternative to the traditional stocks and bonds, which are highly sensitive </div>
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to interest rates.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px;">https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/091615/are-reits-beneficial-during-highinterest-era.asp</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0.16px; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-29434387188224041012018-11-21T09:31:00.006-08:002018-11-21T09:31:47.013-08:00How to Prepare Your Home This Winter for a Successful Spring Sale<h1 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; clear: both; color: #1e232b; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 3.8em; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How to Prepare Your Home This Winter for a Successful Spring Sale</h1>
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If you are planning to sell your home next spring, why not get a jumpstart during the fall /winter season so you have more time and less stress while preparing? An added plus is that your home could potentially be ready to list in time for the early spring selling season at the end of January when the market is less crowded. It’s a win-win! Here’s our go-to list of what sellers should be doing now to ensure for a successful sale next spring.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Assess Your Home’s Condition – Inside & Out</strong></h2>
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The first step is to do a thorough walk-thru with an objective eye. Does it have “move-in ready appeal” that will “wow” young, savvy buyers? Is there chipped paint on moldings and trim? Is the front entry carpet runner worn and could benefit from replacing? Look at your property through the lens of your buyer and determine what needs the most attention so that Millennials with families can immediately connect and envision themselves living there with minimal work to do when they move in. </div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. First Impressions Go a Long Way</strong></h2>
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With the changing seasons, try to tackle exterior repairs and landscaping while you can by keeping gutters clean, lawn raked, shrubs trimmed and driveways/walkways shoveled. For an inviting front porch with curb appeal, maintain a polished look each season with welcoming accents such as potted evergreens or berry branches, a beautiful wreath on the door, glowing lanterns, and a colorful welcome mat.</div>
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<img alt="" class="wp-image-45995 size-large" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-1024x403.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-1024x403.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-768x302.jpg 768w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-560x220.jpg 560w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Living Room Staged by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Remove Distractions & Get Organized</strong></h2>
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Tackle clutter one room at a time and decide whether to keep or purge items based on when you last touched or used it. Remove personal items, collectibles and excessive furniture that distract from the room’s key features as well as its perceived size and flow. Then organize the remaining items with efficient storage solutions such as baskets and containers for closets, drawers and cabinets.</div>
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<img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-45996" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-1024x403.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-1024x403.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-768x302.jpg 768w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-560x220.jpg 560w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Library Staged by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Make it Fresh & Bright </strong></h2>
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Ask yourself if the color on the walls and cabinets is too dark? Does wallpaper need to be removed? Are window treatments dated and heavy? Does worn carpet need replacing? Do hardwood floors need polishing? Simply adding a fresh coat of neutral “greige” paint to dark walls will brighten the room by creating a backdrop to showcase the other elements in the room, such as the white trim, new carpeting, wall art, and furniture (as shown in library above).</div>
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<img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-45997" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-1024x403.jpg" srcset="https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-1024x403.jpg 1024w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-300x118.jpg 300w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-768x302.jpg 768w, https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-560x220.jpg 560w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="1024" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Living Room Staged by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Create the “Wow Factor”</strong></h2>
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Once you’ve invested in the necessary upgrades for move-in ready appeal, buyers still need to emotionally connect by envisioning how their furnishings will look in the space. Staging a home is an investment in getting the property sold and for top dollar. Professional stagers can create the “wow” factor that might be needed after all of the repairs and upgrades are finished. Complete the look with strategically placed modern furniture paired with pops of colorful and inviting accents that will make a lasting impression as pictured in the living room photo above. </div>
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For more examples of interior decorating and home staging, visit <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.pjstagingdecorating.com/" rel="noopener" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #30517f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.pjstagingdecorating.com</a></u></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #1e232b; font-family: PT Serif, arial, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-this-winter-for-a-successful-spring-sale/</b></span></span></div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-73164039980355157582018-11-14T09:15:00.001-08:002018-11-14T09:15:52.114-08:009 Tips for Achieving Maximum Coziness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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9 Tips for Achieving Maximum Coziness</h2>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "gotham" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Set the mood</b></span></div>
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Candles are a key ingredient to a supremely comfortable atmosphere. Not only do they provide beautiful, soft lighting, but they also add warmth and scent to your space.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Choose seasonal scents to inspire celebration, or choose a summery scent, such as coconut and floral, to help combat the seasonal blues.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. Bake something</span></h2>
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Cake is central to the cozy experience. But it doesn’t just begin when you eat the cake (or cookies or pie) — it begins when you buy the ingredients.</div>
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Go to your favorite market, choose your ingredients carefully, and mix them with great care, taking your time to enjoy the task at hand. It’s just a bonus that your baking will flood your space with delicious smells — and taste good too.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Call up a friend or family member whose recipes deserve appreciation, and ask if they could show you how to work out their spectacular skills. Baking together makes for a lovely afternoon, no matter the weather!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. Add texture</span></h2>
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Plush throws, sheepskins and cushions make for a much more <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/passions-in-home-decor-226113/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">inviting space</a>. Cover your surfaces in as many luxurious fabrics and pillows as you can find and snuggle down.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Faux is just as fashionable as the real thing. If cost prohibits, find inexpensive alternatives.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. Invite people over</span></h2>
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Do you tend to hide from your friends as soon as October hits? Fight the urge to retreat, and invite your nearest and dearest (or those you want to know better) over to share your coziness. Bonus: Ask them to bring a bottle of your favorite autumnal beverage!</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Low on funds but want to host a dinner party? Ask everyone to bring an ingredient for stew, and make it together.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">5. Get out the board games</span></h2>
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They gather dust all year, so make use of them now! For the minimalists among us, a deck of cards is a highly versatile recreational object to keep around. No one to play with? Try your hand at a game of solitaire — analog style.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Have long-distance friends and loved ones? There are many gaming apps that you can play from all over the world. Start up a game and maintain your connections year-round!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">6. Perfect your hot drink game</span></h2>
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Hot cocoa, hot toddies, apple cider, mulled wine — pick your poison. Whatever it is, find your own special recipe that is so delicious you can’t wait to show it off. Then have those aforementioned friends over again!</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Why, yes, you can put whiskey in those drinks. But it’s usually a good idea to perfect a mocktail version, too, for friends who don’t imbibe.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">7. Embrace sweater weather</span></h2>
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If you don’t already have a favorite sweater, it’s time to find one. It should be something that makes you feel at home when you slip it on. Cashmere, wool, mohair — anything will do. Whatever you choose, pair it with thick socks!</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Start a knitting, crocheting or weaving circle, and make your own sweater over the course of the winter. It’s easier to get through lengthy projects when you’re sitting beside a friend — and it’s a great excuse to get together every week, no matter the weather.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">8. Curate your cold-outside playlist</span></h2>
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Make yourself a mix of music that inspires you to do all those things that make you feel absolutely endeared to your space. Put it on shuffle, relax, repeat.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> Instrumentals are classics for a reason — they can work as background for just about anything. When in doubt, most music services have pre-made playlists, some of which you can filter by mood.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">9. Do seasonal activities</span></h2>
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Making caramel apples? Check. Carving pumpkins? Check. Canning, puddle jumping, sledding, walking through string-light-wrapped neighborhoods? Check!</div>
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Whatever your favorite seasonal treats might be, set some dates to make them happen and feel the magic of even the most blah weather wash over you.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Tip:</span> This is a great way to involve kids in <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/clever-thanksgiving-diys-222061/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">seasonal celebration</a>. If you don’t have children of your own, hosting a kid-friendly event (such as pumpkin painting) is a lovely way to connect with friends with little ones. Not a fan of cleaning up after the kids? Offer them a treat in exchange for cleaning up. Everybody wins.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: gotham, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">https://www.zillow.com/blog/9-tips-for-achieving-maximum-coziness-229645/</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-45565907645010560832018-11-07T09:16:00.000-08:002018-11-07T09:16:36.869-08:00Do You Qualify for a Home Energy Tax Credit?<h2 style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Do You Qualify for a Home Energy Tax Credit? </h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every year the IRS and federal government offer a number of tax credits to homeowners based on how they generate and use energy in their home. It's simple, the more efficient your home is the better off your tax return can look. These credits change from year to year as the federal government revises and improves its energy efficiency initiatives. As a homeowner, you need to keep an eye on what tax credits are available in order to receive the maximum refund you are eligible for when filing your tax return, as these credits vary from year to year. </span></div>
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Large Home Energy Tax Credits-</div>
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There are two types of major credits available for homeowners: the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit and the Non-business Energy Property Credit. These credits are offered based on the type and scale of energy efficiency upgrades added to your home. </div>
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<b>Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credit</b>- This is designed to reward homeowners who use renewable energy to help power their home. These include:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Geothermal Heat Pumps</b>: Geothermal energy is a constant, reliable and renewable source of power. However, getting to it can be expensive. This tax credit is intended to help take the bite out of the purchase.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Small Wind Turbines (Residential)</b>: While not applicable to every region, wind power can be quite resourceful. They can generate power for an individual's home using clean, emissions-free energy!</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Solar Energy Panels</b>: Currently one of the most popular options for energy efficiency, solar power is endlessly renewable (especially in Grand Junction, which offers over 300 days of sunshine per year). If you yield more than you use, you may receive energy credits! </span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Solar-powered Water Heaters</b>: While using photovoltaic panels to capture energy is the most popular form of solar energy efficiency, using solar energy to power large appliances such as your water heater will also earn you a tax credit!</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Fuel Cells</b>: Hydrogen looks increasingly likely to be a powerful source of energy in the years to come, and fuel cells are a key component for storing energy is produces, <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-indent: -144px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://burnanenergyjournal.com/storing-energy-fuel-cells-and-beyond-2/"><span style="color: #666666;">http://burnanenergyjournal.com/storing-energy-fuel-cells-and-beyond-2/</span></a></span></span><span style="text-indent: -144px;">.</span></span></li>
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The <b>Non-business Energy Property Tax Credit</b>, on the other hand rewards homeowners for installing materials and equipment that meet energy efficiency standards set by the department of energy. These credits only apply to existing homes that serve as your main residence. Keep in mind that new homes cannot take advantage. </div>
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There are two categories of upgrades which determine the amount of credit available to you.</div>
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The first category includes,</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Insulation</b>: Insulation helps prevent wasted energy by keeping heat where it needs to be. Since if often wears out over time, you'll need to replace insulation if you want to maximize your efficiency.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Exterior Doors</b>: Unlike walls, most doors don't have a lot of insulation, so heat will often times pass right through. Replacing your doors with ones that <i>do</i> have insulation makes enough improvement to qualify for a tax credit. </span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Exterior Windows</b>: Windows can let out a lot of energy, similar to doors. Skylights can also qualify for tax credits.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Roofing</b>: Energy-efficient roofs can help make sure your home isn't wasting to much energy, like insulation. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Upgrades to these areas in your home are considered "qualified energy efficiency improvements."</span></div>
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The second category includes,</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Electric Heat Pumps</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stoves That Use Biomass Fuel</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Central Air Condition Systems</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Natural Gas, Propane, or Oil Furnace</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Natural Gas, Propane, or Oil Water Heater </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To find our if an item or upgrade meets the Department of Energy standards, you can contact the manufacturer</span></div>
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The tax credit itself includes 10% of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements, and 100% of the residential energy property costs. There are a number of limits on both categories, including...</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maximum of $500 credit for all years combined, 2006 to present. </span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up to $200 can be used for window</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up to $150 can be used for a furnace or boiler</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up to $300 can be used for any other single residential energy property cost</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Other Home Energy Tax Credits- Tax credits are also offered on individual energy efficient products, such as ENERGY STAR certifies appliance. These include,</span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Electric water heaters</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gas water heaters</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">windows, doors, and skylights. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em><b><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; padding: 0in;">Something to keep in mind, if your tax credit is more than you owe, it may </span></b></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em><b><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; padding: 0in;">carry over to the next year.</span></b></em></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> of these tax credits can be claimed by using:</span></span></span></i></b></h3>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-5695,-Residential-Energy-Credits">IRS Form 5955, Residential </a></span></span></span></i></b><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-5695,-Residential-Energy-Credits">Energy </a></span></span></span></i></b><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-5695,-Residential-Energy-Credits">Credits</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">.</span></span></i></b></span></h3>
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https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/home-ownership/energy-tax-credit-which-home-improvements-qualify/L5rZH56ex</div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-47955613583843275082018-10-31T12:18:00.000-07:002018-10-31T12:18:48.156-07:006 Tips for a Small Kitchen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How to Spice Up a Small Kitchen</h2>
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The kitchen is the heart of the home. It's a place to gather, cook, eat, laugh, play bills & do homework. When space is limited, it takes smart planning to create a multi-functional and aesthetically appealing kitchen. Here's how to make the most of the space you have. </div>
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1. Donate</h3>
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Do you actually use ALL the pots and pans stored in the cupboard? Go through all your dishes, pots, pans, blenders and other small appliances. If you haven't used them within the last year, its time to say goodbye. You'll be saving yourself the clutter, and someone else will get a better use out of it. </div>
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2. Find Beautiful Cleaning Tools</h3>
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<a href="http://thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/meyers-color-wheel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for ms meyers" border="0" height="200" src="http://thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/meyers-color-wheel.png" width="199" /></a>The ugly truth is that a lot of everyday items just font make sense to keep out- but that doesn't mean they have to be such an eyesore.Skip the plastic and get yourself a classic wooden broom, natural fiber dish brush, and a glass soap dispenser. These items don't cost much, but they add a softer look while also getting the job done. </div>
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<br />3. Live the Island Life</h3>
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A kitchen island is a versatile tool for almost any space- even the tiniest apartments!</div>
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Whether you choose a larger center-of-the-room style piece of a small butcher-block number, these additions create more counter space, and add storage, all in one piece. </div>
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4. Light it Up</h3>
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<a href="https://secure.img2-fg.wfcdn.com/im/28909393/resize-h310-w310%5Ecompr-r85/4173/41734539/wyckhoff-1-light-bell-pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for light fixtures" border="0" height="200" src="https://secure.img2-fg.wfcdn.com/im/28909393/resize-h310-w310%5Ecompr-r85/4173/41734539/wyckhoff-1-light-bell-pendant.jpg" width="200" /></a>Another timeless tip: Good lighting is everything</div>
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If your kitchen is dedicated to getting things done and starting your day, invest in cool lighting- the kind that washed everything in a bright, sunlit glow. A refreshing, cooler light wakes us up and creates an invigorating feeling. </div>
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5. Keep it alive</h3>
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Every room deserves a plant. Not only do they look good, but they also improve the quality of the air around them. No natural light in your kitchen? Or perhaps you don't have a green-thumb? Succulents are great, and almost impossible to kill. </div>
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6. Clear the Counters</h3>
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If the kitchen is already small, the junk sitting on the counters isn't helping. Try only pulling out your small appliances when you need them, and neatly placing them back on the shelf when you're finished. If you have decor filling counter space, it's time to find it a new home and only keep out what's essential. </div>
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Tip: If you have pets, make sure to <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/keeping-pets-safe-around-plants-178902/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; font-family: Gotham, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">check the toxicity of your plants</a>. Some animals are even allergic to certain plants.</h4>
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No matter how uniquely challenging your space might be, there are solutions waiting for you to find them!</h3>
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https://www.zillow.com/blog/small-kitchen-space-saving-tips-228078/</div>
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http://www.traditionalhome.com/kitchens/beautiful-efficient-small-kitchens?page=3</div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-87398621063632265392018-10-24T11:41:00.001-07:002018-10-24T11:41:46.255-07:007 Common Real Estate Questions, Answered! <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #282828; font-family: overpass; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 Common Real Estate Questions</span></span></h2>
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Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the first step of the home buying process. Getting a pre-approval letter from a lender get the ball rolling in the right direction. Here’s why:</div>
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First, you need to know how much you can borrow. Knowing how much home you can afford narrows down online home searching to suitable properties, thus no time is wasted considering homes that are not within your budget. (Pre-approvals also help prevent disappointment caused by falling in love unaffordable homes.)</div>
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Second, the loan estimate from your lender will show how much money is required for the down payment and closing costs. You may need more time to save up money, liquidate other assets or seek mortgage gift funds from family. In any case, you will have a clear picture of what is financially required. </div>
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Finally, being pre-approved for a mortgage demonstrates that you are a serious buyer to both your real estate agent and the person selling their home.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. How long does it take to buy a home?</span></span></h3>
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Under normal market conditions, the average time to complete the sale of a home is 30 to 45 days. Though, well-prepared home buyers have been known to purchase properties faster than the averages. Market conditions are a major factor in <span style="box-sizing: inherit; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">how fast homes are sold</span>. In hot markets with a lot of sales activity, buying a home may take a little longer than normal.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. What is a seller’s market?</span></span></h3>
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In sellers’ markets, increasing demand for homes drives up prices. Here are some of the drivers of demand:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Economic factors</span> – the local labor market heats up, bringing an inflow of new residents and pushing up home prices before more inventory can be built.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Interest rates trending downward</span> – improves home affordability, creating more buyer interest, particularly for first time home buyers who can afford bigger homes as the cost of money goes lower.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">A short-term spike in interest rates</span> – may compel “on the fence” buyers to make a purchase if they believe the upward trend will continue. Buyers want to make a move before their purchasing power (the amount they can borrow) gets eroded.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Low inventory</span> – fewer homes on the market because of a lack of new construction. Prices for existing homes may go up because there are fewer units available.</li>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. What is a buyer’s market?</span></span></h3>
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A buyer’s market is characterized by declining home prices and reduced demand. Several factors may affect long-term and short-term buyer demand, like: Economic disruption – a big employer shuts down operations, laying off their workforce.</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Interest rates trending higher</span> – the amount of money the people can borrow to buy a home is reduced because the cost of money is higher, thus reducing the total number of potential buyers in the market. Home prices drop to meet the level of demand and buyers find better deals.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Short-term drop in interest rates</span> – can give borrowers a temporary edge with more purchasing power before home prices can react to the recent interest rate changes.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">High inventory</span> – a new subdivision and can create downward pressure on prices of older homes nearby, particularly if they lack highly desirable features (modern appliances, etc.)</li>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Should I sell my current home before buying a new one?</span></span></h3>
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If the built-up equity in your current home will be applied to the down payment on the new home, naturally the former will need to be sold first. Some home buyers decide to turn their current home into an investment property, renting it out. In that case, the current home will not need to be sold. However, your loan advisor will still need to evaluate your risk profile and credit history to determine whether making a loan on a new home is feasible while retaining title to the old home.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. How many homes should I view before buying one?</span></span></h3>
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That’s up to you! For sure, home shopping today is easier today than ever before. The ability to search for homes online and see pictures, even before setting a foot outside the comfort of your living room, has completely changed the home buying game. Convenience is at an all-time high. But, nothing beats visiting a home to see how it looks and ‘feels’ in person.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. What is earnest money?</span></span></h3>
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When you make an offer on a home, your agent will ask for a check to accompany it (checks are the same as cash, and the deposit is typically 1% to 2% of the purchase price). Earnest money is made in good faith to demonstrate – to the seller – that the buyer’s offer is genuine. Earnest money essentially takes the home off the market to anyone else and reserves it for you. The check is deposited in a trust or escrow account for safekeeping. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "overpass"; font-size: x-small;">https://www.rubyhome.com/home-buying/common-real-estate-questions/</span></div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-58923885890959002792018-10-19T10:41:00.000-07:002018-10-19T10:41:22.624-07:00Winter Events & Things to do in Grand Junction <br />
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<a href="https://downtowngj.org/assets/Josh-Hudnall-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for parade of lights grand junction 2018" border="0" height="213" src="https://downtowngj.org/assets/Josh-Hudnall-10.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Parade of Lights</span></b></div>
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Every December, families from near and far gather round Downtown Grand Junction for the annual Parade of Lights. Thousands line Main Street as more than 100 lighted entries enchant viewers. Get in the holiday spirit and enjoy our beautiful Downtown! Be sure to check out the shop windows of our wonderful Downtown businesses. In 2015 the parade was awarded "Best of the West for Family Events" by the Daily Sentinel.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Note on Parking</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: On November 19, 2014, City Council approved a ban on parking on Main Street during the Parade of Lights. This is primarily in the interest of safety, though visibility on the parade route and a reduction of exhaust fumes will also be improved. Parking will not be allowed along the parade route as of 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 3. Any vehicles remaining along the parade route will be towed to a lot a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">few blocks away, where they can be retrieved at no cost to the owner. Please park on a side street or in the parking garage at 4th and Rood and walk over to enjoy the festivities!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b>https://downtowngj.org/signature-events/paradeoflights/</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Picture Show</span></b></span></span><br />
<a href="https://static.lakana.com/nxsglobal/feedsite/photo/2016/11/03/Luxury%20Theatre%20to%20Come%20to%20Grand%20Junction_12633283_ver1.0_640_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for movie theater grand junction" border="0" height="179" src="https://static.lakana.com/nxsglobal/feedsite/photo/2016/11/03/Luxury%20Theatre%20to%20Come%20to%20Grand%20Junction_12633283_ver1.0_640_360.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">A great way to get out of the cold, is to head over to the theater. Junction has multiple theaters, The Picture Show being the newest addition. Stop by, grab some popcorn and get comfy in the reclined seats as you enjoy a movie.</span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: start;"><b>https://www.pictureshowent.com/home-grand-junction/</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ski, Snowboard, Sled, Tube, Snowshoe & Snowmobile</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grand Junction is </span>conveniently<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> located 45 minutes away from Powderhorn Ski Resort, which offers breathtaking views and over 1,600 acres of mountain terrain. Pack a lunch, and pull out your coat for a day on the mountain. Tucked alongside the Grand Mesa- also the worlds largest flattop mountain, ski, Snowboard, and tube down our snowy slopes. Powderhorn's locations </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">provides over 250 inches if light powder snow each year, and 70% of their runs are beginner or intermediate, ideal for any family or skiers or snowboarders. Recent upgrades include the 2015 launch of a new high-speed quad lift </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Flat Top Flyer</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">- which gets you to the top of the mountain in just 6 minutes!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><b>http://www.powderhorn.com/</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Fat Biking</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Most think once the days start to get cooler, the Grand Junction biking stops. Think again. Fat biking is only becoming more and more popular. This type of biking is designed to float across</span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"> soft unstable terrain such as sand or snow. With plenty of mountain bike trails to go around, we are only seeing more and more of year round biking. If you're interested in this some good spots to check out are Brown's Cycles, or Ruby Canyon Cycles. Both are great bike shops located in Downtown Grand Junction. Websites to both can be found below. </span></span></b><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>http://www.rubycanyoncycles.com/</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>https://browncycles.com/bc/</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: large;"><b><i>To see upcoming winter events, and things going on in Grand Junction, check out WhatsUpGrandJunction on Facebook. They are a great resource to follow. </i></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><b>Other Things to Check Out:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: times new roman;">The Avalon Theater-<i> Movies, Music & MORE</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Candle Kitchen- Downtown GJ. <i>Make your own candle!</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Ice Fishing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Nutcracker Ballet Dances</span></li>
<li>Winter Hiking</li>
<li>Mesa County Library</li>
<li>Barnes & Noble</li>
<li>Go to the Salon</li>
<li>Stay in & watch a movie</li>
<li>Fruita Rec Center; <i>basketball courts, gym & an indoor pool/hot-tub</i></li>
<li>Craft Fairs</li>
</ul>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span>
</div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-9319296630863357302018-10-11T11:57:00.000-07:002018-10-11T11:57:38.448-07:0020 Cold Hard Facts About Selling Your Home<ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Know your local Real Estate Market </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">– What’s moving the market? If you don’t know, make sure your Realtor knows. If your Realtor doesn’t know, find another Realtor who does know. Real Estate will always be local and to be able to sell your home, it’s critical to know what the local trends are for your neighborhood.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<ol start="2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A clean, uncluttered home sells</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – A dirty home knocks thousands of dollars off of your profit. It’s true, a big chunk of money can be lost for not putting in a little elbow grease. Perhaps one of the greatest payoffs to home selling will be the time you spend cleaning and decluttering your home.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<ol start="3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homes priced right sell</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Price your home to sell. <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From the very first day that you list your home for sale</span>, you will attract the most qualified and most interested Buyers. The first few weeks of a new home listing shines brightest. A fresh new listing draws the attention of Buyers waiting for a new home to hit the market and those Buyers who just started looking will see your home priced right, and will break down your front door to take a closer look. A listing that stagnates on the market for weeks and months on end becomes stale and often stigmatized as to why has the home hasn’t sold. They’ll either assume something is wrong with the home or that it’s priced too high. If Buyers think that something is wrong, they’ll want a discount and if it’s been on the market due to being priced too high, they’ll think you’re beginning to get desperate because your home hasn’t sold and that you’d likely start to consider taking a discount. Avoid the discounts, price it right, and increase your chances of having multiple interested Buyers.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<ol start="4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Selling a home is inconvenient </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">– Knowing up front that you’re going to be inconvenienced once you’ve decided to sell your home, will make the home selling process a lot easier to handle. You’re going to have to get your home ready to sell, you’re going to have to do some packing and you’re normal everyday living schedules will likely be interrupted by visiting prospective Buyers. When you’re able to anticipate this, it can make the process a lot less painful. Anticipate to be inconvenienced.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<ol start="5" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Repairs left undone will cost you more money than the repair itself</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Repairs that you’ve been meaning to do will be a lot less expensive to complete if you do them BEFORE you sell your home. Once the needed repair is evident to a Buyer, they’re going to pad the actual cost to repair as they’re adding a layer of emotion to the cost. What do I mean by this? When they see a simple repair that could have been fixed they wonder what else is in need of repair and they’ll wonder did you really maintain the home properly. They’ll wonder what may be lurking beneath the surface, hidden and not visual to the naked eye. They get a bit frightened in the unknown and will want a little bit more of a reduction, just in case something else pops up once they were to buy your home.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overpricing your home helps to sell your neighbors home</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – It’s true! Picture this. Buyers are qualified to buy a certain price range so they’re looking at homes that they can afford; your competition, your neighbors. If your home is priced too high, they’ll never see it as it will not come up in the home search. Your home will be coming up in a higher price range; likely homes that are larger with nicer features and more appealing. This price range of home Buyers will look at your home but will skip over your home because they can buy a larger home with the same features for the same amount of money; why would anyone pay more for less space?</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="7" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buyers love to negotiate the home sales price after the home inspection</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Oh yes, the time to nickle and dime for all the needed repairs. In an inspection there will always be a hundred of little things and hopefully, you aren’t blind-sighted with an unknown major needed repair. If you have any needed major repairs, this should be known ahead of time and disclosed to any prospective Buyers prior to the presentation of their offer. This way you know the offer reflects the defect. As discussed above, fix your repairs so as not to give a Buyer a reason to want a discount. The inspection period will always welcome a skilled negotiator. Make sure the Realtor you hired, is an effective negotiator as they’ll be worth their weight in gold here.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="8" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buyers love to grill Sellers present at home showings </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">– When a Buyer has schedule a visit to view your home, it’s important for you to leave for more reasons than one. First of all, you want the Buyers to be able to stroll through your home and feel comfortable without you breathing down their necks, as you want them to envision themselves living in your home. Picturing themselves in your Kitchen around the dinner table, or relaxing in the family room listening to their favorite music or watching TV and also imagining your home to be the perfect spot to entertain friends and family. And, even more important is that you don’t want them to try and wiggle out any details from you regarding why you’re moving that could give them a reason to offer you less money for your home. A favorite tactic for Buyer’s Agents and Buyers is to try and find out valuable details that indicate you “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">need</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” to move.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="9" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smelly homes sell for less money</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Nothing is worse than a smelly home from pets, smoking or even cooking. Sure we love our pets but they can leave behind those not so pleasant smells. If you’re a smoker, you need to plan well in advance to take your smokes outside to freshen up your home’s interior. Perhaps you adore foods with very pungent spices, these favorite dishes that you cook should be put on hold until after you sell your home and get moved out. A thorough cleaning of your home, along with the fabrics, rugs and carpets will go along way in removing pet, smoking and food odors. If you have carpeting where pets had accidents, replacing carpeting would be advisable.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="10" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cash is not always King</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Cash does not always rule the roost. When financing Buyers have to compete with Cash Buyers, they can make their offer look very appealing in a number of ways that can beat out the Cash Buyer. First, by making sure they’ve presented their offer without any errors, making sure it is accurate and complete. Next, they’ll want to make sure their Pre Approval letter indicates their strong ability to secure the mortgage to buy the Seller’s home. In addition, a Real Estate purchase contract has many different time frames, the Buyers can make sure that they’re going to be quick in adhering to speedy time frames and also, you’d be surprised how many Buyers and their stories of how they’d live in the Seller’s home can pull out a Seller’s heart strings, particularly if the Seller holds a lot of favorable memories from the home.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="11" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well maintained homes sell for more money</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – A well maintain home provides a sense of well being to any prospective Buyer as they imagine that the home having been well cared for and likely will not provide them with too many worries down the road after they’ve bought the home. Red flags are virtually non-existent with a well maintained home as compared to a home that appears to not have been maintained. This peace of mind comes with a price tag that results in the Buyers willingness to pay more for a well maintained home.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.66em; margin-bottom: 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<ol start="12" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lollygagging and ignoring communication jeopardizes home sales</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Once the decision has been made to sell your home, it’s critical for your communications to be prompt and timely. Now is not the time to run off and pick dandelions ignoring your Realtors requests for answers to questions that the prospective Buyer may have or to delay signing/initialling a contract update. This type of lollygagging can irritate all parties to the sale of your home. Be available, prompt and courteous when selling a home.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="13" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buyers must envision themselves living in your home</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – This involves taking the “you” out of your home. When you’ve decided to sell your home, it is now important to realize that your home now needs to read like it could welcome anybody to suit their family. Begin your packing before you get your home listed for sale and remove all the memories on display and all the things that say “you” live there. Neutrality must now be present in your home. This is because too many Buyers can’t look beyond the “youness” of your home to picture themselves there, so it’s best if you make it easy for them, so it will be easy for them to buy your home. </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photographs and Videos can sell homes</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – When you had your home listed for sale and you didn’t get any Buyers, did you know that Buyers skipped over your listing due to limited photos or poor quality photos? Yes, photographs do matter. Over 90% of Buyers start their home search online and they want to “see” homes and not read about homes; they want to see high quality photos and videos. Poor quality photographed homes will have Buyers snubbing their noses at your home.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trying to hide a defect will haunt you</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – You never want to get a call from an Attorney, indicating that the Buyers that bought your home are now suing you for not disclosing that home structural issue that you were aware about, yet thought you’d keep it to yourself so you can sell your home for more money. My mother always told me that when you lie, you eventually get caught, boy was she right! Being slapped with a lawsuit is never welcome news to a home seller. Speak the truth.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cooperation continues to be the name of the game</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – When an exchange occurs such as does with a home sale, a little bit of cooperation will go along way and quite often, ending with a favorable outcome for a home Seller. Don’t fight the Buyer tooth and nail, as they’ll immediately withdraw to put on their boxing gloves and in this scenario everyone loses. A little give and take, more times than not, results in superior results.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What you love isn’t what a prospective Buyer loves</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – neutralize your home of your purple passion, your bold reds, your mounted hunting treasures or your Woodstock beads. I can look past these passions of others, yet not everyone can or should I say most cannot. Do not give a Buyer a reason to find distaste in what you desire. When you sell a home it is not the time to show the world what makes you tick, you want to show how Buyers can fill your home with what makes them tick.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Closing date is move out date</span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – It’s important to understand that when the closing date comes around, all of your belongings must be packed up and moved out, leaving behind a clean home ready for the Buyers to move in once they’re given the key at the closing table. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to stay a few days after closing to finish a few things you just never got to it.</span></div>
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<ol start="19" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 2.35em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Requiring that a Buyer meets financing eligibility increases your likelihood of selling your home – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First of all, Real Estate Agents shouldn’t even be showing Buyers your home unless they know the Buyers credit, income and assets have been reviewed to make sure they can indeed afford to buy your home. Unfortunately, not all Real Estate Agents adhere to this common sense business practice and will show prospective Buyers homes that they don’t even know if they can afford. Make sure the Real Estate Agent that you hire, scrutinizes any incoming Buyer’s offer for their ability to actually be able to pay for your home.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Experience sells – Hiring a skilled, trusted, Real Estate professional </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gets homes sold in the shortest amount of time for the most amount of money. With over 40 years of combined experience, we are here to help.</span></div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-15768540352476949842018-10-01T14:01:00.001-07:002018-10-01T14:01:07.814-07:0012 Tasks to Tackle Before Fall! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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12 Tasks to Tackle Before Fall</h2>
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<a href="https://photos.smugmug.com/Colorado/Colorado-Grand-Junction-Area/i-tLdS6zR/0/be781654/L/07335%20Autumn%20in%20Grand%20Junction%2C%20CO%20IMG_3280-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for grand junction fall" border="0" height="266" src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Colorado/Colorado-Grand-Junction-Area/i-tLdS6zR/0/be781654/L/07335%20Autumn%20in%20Grand%20Junction%2C%20CO%20IMG_3280-L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Exterior prep:</span></h2>
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1. Fix cracks in concrete and asphalt</h3>
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Depending on where you live, these may be the last weeks this year when it will be warm and sunny enough to repair driveway and sidewalk cracks.</div>
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2. Clean out the gutters</h3>
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No one loves this job, but we all need to do it annually. A few hours of work can prevent big problems later on.</div>
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While you’re up on that ladder, visually inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing or vents. You can also inspect the chimney for any missing mortar and repair it by tuck-pointing, if needed.</div>
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3. Turn off outdoor plumbing</h3>
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Drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems, and cover them to protect them from the freezing weather to come.</div>
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4. Start composting</h3>
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If you don’t already have compost bins, now’s the time to make or get some. All those <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/do-you-really-need-to-rake-185320/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">accumulated autumn leaves</a> will bring you gardening gold next summer!</div>
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5. Clean outdoor furniture and gardening tools</h3>
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It may not yet be time to put them away, but go ahead and clean your outdoor furniture and gardening tools so they’re ready for storage over the winter.</div>
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6. Plant bulbs for spring-blooming flowers<br />
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Plant bulbs in October, as soon as the soil has cooled down, to reap big rewards next spring. If you’ve never planted bulbs before, select a spot in your yard that gets full sun during the day.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Interior prep:</span></h2>
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7. Prepare your furnace for winter duty</h3>
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If you didn’t already do it last spring, consider getting your furnace professionally serviced in time for the cold season. At the minimum, though, visually inspect your furnace and replace the furnace filter before turning it on for the first time.</div>
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8. Clean the fireplace and chimney</h3>
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Clean out the fireplace, inspect the flue, and ensure the doors and shields are sound. Have the chimney professionally swept if needed. Now’s also the time to stock up on firewood!</div>
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9. Keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside</h3>
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Inspect your windows and doors. Check weatherstripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weather stripping isn’t doing its job.</div>
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Also, now’s the time to re-caulk around windows and door casings, if needed.</div>
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<a href="https://wp.zillowstatic.com/1/GettyImages-562452097-48528d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-228643" height="133" src="https://wp.zillowstatic.com/1/GettyImages-562452097-48528d.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-top: 11.5px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /></a></h3>
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10. Light the way</h3>
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<a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/brighten-dark-home-222057/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Bring as much light into your home</a> as you can for the colder, darker months. To accentuate natural light, clean your windows and blinds, especially in rooms that get a lot of sunlight.</div>
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Add lighting to darker spaces with new lamps. And consider replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.</div>
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11. Create a mudroom</h3>
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Even if you don’t have a dedicated mudroom in your home, now’s a good time to think about <a href="https://www.zillow.com/blog/designing-tidy-stylish-entryway-167811/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0074e4; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">organizing and stocking an entryway</a> that will serve as a “mudroom” area for cold and wet weather.</div>
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Put down an indoor-outdoor rug to protect the floor. A fun and rewarding weekend project is to build a wooden shoe rack, coat rack or storage bench for your entryway.</div>
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12. Home safety check</h3>
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Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. A good way to remember to do this is to always replace the batteries when you change the clock for daylight saving time.</div>
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Create a family fire escape plan, or review the one you already have. Put together an emergency preparedness kit so that you are ready for winter power outages.</div>
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Once you finish with your autumn home checklist, you will be ready to enjoy the season in your warm, comfortable home.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "gotham" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">https://www.zillow.com/blog/12-steps-prepare-home-for-fall-204676/</span></div>
Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-58882939572852785212018-09-28T14:39:00.000-07:002018-09-28T14:43:50.446-07:00Thinking About Building? Here's Why You Should. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5 Advantages of Building Your Own House</span></h1>
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Are you thinking about purchasing a new home? Learn about the advantages of building your<br />
own house versus buying one that’s already on the market.Those who are on the housing<br />
market might be wondering if building your own house is worth it.</div>
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We’re here to say that it is.</div>
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Not only can building a house save you money, but it can provide multiple benefits you may<br />
have never considered. Last year, it took an <a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/pdf/avg_starttocomp.pdf" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bba887; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">average of 8.1 months</a> to finish a contractor-built<br />
home once they started construction. It takes even longer for owner-built properties.<br />
For this reason, it’s important to start planning your new home right away.</div>
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<img alt="Start Fresh" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2714" height="212" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/start-fresh.jpg" srcset="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/start-fresh.jpg 1200w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/start-fresh-300x199.jpg 300w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/start-fresh-768x509.jpg 768w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/start-fresh-1024x678.jpg 1024w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Start Fresh</span></h2>
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This benefit refers to the money-saving opportunity involved with buying brand-new<br />
appliances, housing upgrades, and customization options available to those who are<br />
building a house. How expensive is it to build a house? The answer varies on your location,<br />
materials, and customization preferences.You won’t need to upgrade any appliances walls,<br />
plumbing, or electrical equipment for years.</div>
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<img alt="Customize" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2709" height="212" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/customize.jpg" srcset="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/customize.jpg 1200w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/customize-300x199.jpg 300w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/customize-768x510.jpg 768w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/customize-1024x680.jpg 1024w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Customize</span></h2>
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Building versus buying means you can customize everything to your specific needs.<br />
Your interior and exterior will be exactly the way you envisioned it would be, and you<br />
won’t have to make many concessions.</div>
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Instead of trying to fit all of your ideas into an existing property, you get everything the<br />
way you want it up front.</div>
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<img alt="Energy Efficiency" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2712" height="213" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/energy-efficiency.jpg" srcset="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/energy-efficiency.jpg 1200w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/energy-efficiency-300x200.jpg 300w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/energy-efficiency-768x513.jpg 768w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/energy-efficiency-1024x684.jpg 1024w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Energy Efficiency</span></h2>
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If you already know how to build your own house or are exploring the possibility, then you<br />
probably know about solar panels and other energy efficient options.Energy efficient<br />
appliances and additions like solar panels will save you money but require high upfront<br />
costs to install on an existing property.</div>
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Building your own home means you can add these elements immediately.</div>
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<img alt="Privacy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2710" height="212" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privacy.jpg" srcset="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privacy.jpg 1200w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privacy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privacy-768x511.jpg 768w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privacy-1024x681.jpg 1024w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Privacy</span></h2>
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You can choose to have an open backyard if you like mingling with neighbors or have<br />
the entire property to yourself. Building a home allows you to choose how much privacy<br />
you want to have.</div>
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<a href="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/9-simple-steps-to-promote-an-open-house-using-social-media/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bba887; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Buying a home </a>means you have to consider privacy as a plus.<br />
A perfect home doesn’t always have a private yard, but your constructed home can.</div>
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<img alt="Living Room" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2713" height="180" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" src="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/living-room.jpg" srcset="https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/living-room.jpg 1200w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/living-room-300x169.jpg 300w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/living-room-768x432.jpg 768w, https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/living-room-1024x576.jpg 1024w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It’s Yours</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">T</span>his benefit is a bit more abstract than the others, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.</div>
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Building a home means it will be your home. You will be the first person to live in it<br />
and are responsible for its position in the first place. Building a home creates a certain kind of value you can’t find on the housing market.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Building Your Own House</span></h2>
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Building your own house comes with several benefits that you can’t find by buying an </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
existing home. You should consider the possibility, even if you’ve never come close to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
building anything in the past. Need more tips on owning a home, lifestyle advice, and </div>
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everything in between? Call Us!</div>
</div>
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<b>Robin Levine- 970.270.8601 or robin.levine2012@gmail.com</b></div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Paul Zurek- 970.778.7753 or paulz1953@gmail.com </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">https://realtydigitalmarketing.com/advantages-building-house/</span></div>
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Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061735475968925392.post-11103584112216825962018-09-21T08:58:00.000-07:002018-09-21T08:59:13.027-07:00Colorado Homeowners Can Get the Biggest Bang for their Home-Improvement Buck with These Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Get The Biggest Bang for Your Buck with These Home Improvements</h2>
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<a href="https://i2.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BZ09RENOVATIONS.png?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="aligncenter size-article_inline lazyautosizes lazyload" height="400" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BZ09RENOVATIONS.png?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" width="367" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It’s a good time to own Home Depot stock. Or a hardware store. Or a contracting business.<br />
<br />
America is in the middle of a home renovation bonanza, according to research from <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIntn9wP6k3QIVqrvtCh1lLQTDEAAYASAAEgKSafD_BwE">Golden-based HomeAdvisor</a>.<br />
<br />
The average homeowner invested $6,649 in home improvements between March 2017 and March 2018, according to <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/true-cost-report/">HomeAdvisor’s True Cost survey</a>. That’s up $1,492 over 2017, itself a year in which HomeAdvisor’s annual survey <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/05/hot-home-market-remodel/">tracked an $1,850 jump in consumer spending on home improvements</a>.<br />
<br />
The craze is multi-generational. Millennials completed more projects than any other age group, even if they spent 32 percent less on average compared to their baby boomer counterparts. Roughly eight out of every 10 millennial homeowners surveyed said they plan to spend more money on home improvements in 2018-2019 than they did in 2017-2018.<br />
<br />
Driving the movement to stay put and fix up rather than move out are some issues Colorado home seekers know all too well at this point: A lack of homes for sale (though a <a href="https://www.dmarealtors.com/sites/default/files/content/dmar_markettrendsreport_sep2018_0.pdf">recent survey</a> shows inventory growing in the Denver metro area) and correspondingly high costs of available homes, observers say.<br />
<br />
“Mobility rates are ticking down and I think there are a variety of factors to that,” <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/about-dan-diclerico/">HomeAdvisor home expert Dan DiClerico</a> said. “With the combination of home prices and interest rates ticking up, it just doesn’t make sense for people to move at this particular moment.”<br />
<br />
<br />
With dozens of possible projects in every home, DiClerico has some recommendation on how homeowners can best invest their hard-earned dough to bump up their home’s value should the time to sell come.<br />
<br />
The best place to start is the kitchen. Although the 2017-2018 survey found the average kitchen remodel cost $22,145, even a much cheaper update could significantly boost a home’s value. New appliances, counter tops and flooring can be had for a combined $4,000, DiClerico said, and raise a home’s value by thousands of dollars.<br />
“A smart, cosmetic kitchen renovation makeover like that could raise a home’s value 5 percent,” he said.<br />
<br />
Once the new fridge is humming and new kitchen counter tops have been buffed to a glossy shine, the next best way to boost a home’s value is by turning unfinished space into livable space. While he puts the average cost of finishing a basement at around $7,500, again DiClerico says a more thrifty remodeling project can have a significant impact on value. Start with upgrading the lighting if the basement is in decent shape already, DiClerico said.<br />
“Depending on the current condition of the space, if it doesn’t need to be fully redone, you could be in and out for a couple of thousand dollars,” DiClerico said.<br />
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https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/08/colorado-money-saving-home-improvement-projects/Robin Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343883369460946387noreply@blogger.com0