Kitchens and Baths Continue as Focus of Design Activity in Homes
February 29, 2008
Renewable materials and energy-efficient products for kitchens and baths have risen in popularity, while economic concerns among homeowners has resulted in a decline in demand for high-end appliances and features. To accommodate an aging and less mobile population, there is also a greater emphasis on accessibility and adaptability throughout the home. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focused specifically on kitchen and bathrooms in the fourth quarter of 2007. Residential architects have reported the weakest business conditions in the three-year history of this survey, indicating that the housing market is not poised for a recovery in the near term.
Click here for link to the full report
Don’t Skip On Title Insurance
February 24, 2008
TYPICAL TITLE PROBLEMS
To close on a house, the buyer usually must have title insurance guaranteeing that he or she will be the sole owner.
Insurance companies refuse to provide that insurance in some cases. Here are common examples of why title insurance would be denied:
•Grandparents die without leaving wills, and one child keeps the home without proper legal documents. It’s not found until two generations later.
•The property description differs from the sales contract.
•The previous owner forged mortgage documents to show that he or she had paid off a previous mortgage. But the former mortgage company still owns the property.
Source: Alamo Title Co.
Shorten Your Mortgage And Save Thousands
February 20, 2008
A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage lasts half as long as a 30-year fixed-rate loan. You don’t have to work in the lending industry to know that. But if you guessed that monthly payments on a 15-year loan cost twice as much as on a 30-year loan, you’re in for a surprise.
Home Staging Could Be The Difference Between Sold or Still On The Market
February 16, 2008
What is Staging?
- Home staging is anything that helps a home seller make a home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers.
- Typically, a home stager brings in furniture, artwork, plants, rugs and accessories to make a house look its best while on the market.
- Some stagers also offer contractor-consulting services, which may include choosing paints, tiles, carpets and working with contractors to get the house ready.
- When sellers want to use their own furnishings, the stager can consult with them on how to reduce clutter and to open up rooms.
Natural Look Is In For Home Decor
February 12, 2008
By JESSIE MILLIGAN
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
What’s in store for home decor in 2008? Expect to see a lot of anything that looks “natural.” Slubby undyed linen upholstery. Neutral-colored natural-fiber rugs. Tables made to look like logs.
“Anything that looks like something that helps save the environment will be big,” says Amy Larrabee, spokeswoman for the Color Marketing Group in Annapolis, Md. “It does not necessarily have to be better for the environment, but it will look that way.”
We’ll see textured neutral backdrops-sofas and tables-punctuated with bright and bold color-saturated accessories, the non-profit color-marketing group predicts.
Average HOA Costs In San Antonio
February 11, 2008
Annual homeowners association fees can include a transfer fee, reserve or capital improvement fee as well as monthly, quarterly or annual dues.
They differ by size, the number of homes in an association, and the amenities provided.
Transfer fee for single-family home
$100 to $150 one time
Annual dues for single-family homes
0-99 units: $250-$400 without a gate or other amenities and $500-$700 with an entrance gate Pools
100-299 units: $250-$400 without a pool; $350-$500 with a pool 300-699 units with a pool: $450-$600 700+ units with a pool: $350-$500
Condos and Townhomes
$150-$250 per month, which usually includes waste disposal and water service
Source: Spectrum Association Management and Glenn Clarke
Easy Ways to Go Green Around the House
February 8, 2008
You don’t have to be a complete tree hugger to want to go green. But now that it’s becoming increasingly clear that global warming is a very real problem, why wouldn’t you want to reduce your impact on the environment?
If the threat of global warming doesn’t spur you into action, perhaps this fact will: Most of the actions you can take to green your home are easy. And while they save energy and other valuable resources, they also save you a little or even a lot of green (read: money). I’m not expecting you to go off the grid, start raising all your own food, or anything that extreme. These are just easy changes that can be made around your house now to make a big difference.
3 Smart Reasons to Schedule a Home Inspection
February 6, 2008
Whether your in the market buying a new home or maybe an older home, the door should always be open to a home inspection–before buying. Home inspections help you spot potential problems with a house–ranging from dry rot to termites, and from faulty wiring to bad plumbing. That information not only saves you future headaches, but it can also be used as leverage when negotiating the price of a home.
Here’s a look at the top three ways home inspections can help buyers:
What Should I Do With My Pets?
February 2, 2008
If you own a pet, remember that not every potential buyer is familiar or comfortable with all types of pets. Buyers can be frightened or turned off when viewing a home where a pet is present if you don’t take certain steps.
A barking dog may sound bigger than it really is, so it makes more sense to prepare a prospective buyer than to scare him. In order to make the showing agent and his client aware of the animal’s existence, the agent can list the information in the local MLS agent remarks and also with the showing service. State where the animal is located and whether it is okay to enter that area. Additionally, make a note and place it on the door of the area where the animal is kept.
Remodeling That Pays You Back
February 1, 2008
Upgrading your home is always appealing, but which enhancements really get you a good return for your money when it’s time to sell? The 2007 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine and REALTOR® Magazine has the answer. San Antonio numbers are listed below.
| Project | Project Job Cost: | Resale Value: | Cost Recouped: |
| Siding Replacement | $12,926 | $14,472 | 112.0% |
| Deck Addition (Wood) | $9,048 | $9,362 | 103.5% |
| Window Replacement | $10,172 | $9,851 | 96.8% |
| Kitchen Remodel | $20,121 | $19,128 | 95.1% |
Visit CostvsValue.com for more information.
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