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Our Blog
A survey completed by PulteGroup shows an increase in renters who plan to buy a home in the next 2 years. This research supports the ongoing trend toward home ownership.
The study was a part of the PulteGroup Home Index survey which showed an increased optimism and several lifestyle changes affecting the housing market in 2012. While there are still uncertainties in the market, the results show an increased confidence in the market.
The data show that of those that currently rent and plan to buy a house in the future, 61% now plan to buy in the next two years. This is a significant increase, partly related to an improved economy and rising home prices, which build confidence in the housing market. Renters in the survey cited the following reasons as motivation for buying a home:
- they like to call themselves homeowners
- they view it as a good financial investment
- they need more space for their family or children
While there are several encouraging factors for renters to buy, 54% of renters who dont plan to buy soon report that they dont have enough money for the downpayment.
The findings of this survey reveal important information about the current status of the real estate market. More people are recognizing the importance of home ownership. As the housing market continues to recover, it is encouraging to know that renters are looking to home ownership in the near future. If you have questions about home ownership, we are eager to talk with you.
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Everyone has good intentions at this time of year. Some of us resolve to finish a 5k, others aim to pay debt, and some focus on improving nutrition. This year, take hold of that fresh motivation and resolve to pay attention to your home.
Do you have a running list of home improvement projects? Your list of maintenance and improvements may seem daunting, but there is an easier way to tackle that list. This year, resolve to complete one project each month. Separating your goal into smaller monthly pieces will make you much more likely to meet it.
Plan a Monthly ProjectThe idea for this resolution is simple; planning a project for each month will spread the time and cost of home maintenance through the entire year. Your home needs certain updates, but attacking the entire list at one time can leave your burned out. A little work now can save you money, time, and headaches in the future. So, as we start 2013, lets resolve to keep our homes running smoothly. Lets take care of that leaky faucet and remember to change the furnace filter.
Make a PlanWrite out your list of home improvement projects. Prioritize and narrow the list to 12 projects. Then, consider which month makes the most sense for the type of project. Assign each month a specific project.
Put Your Resolution in WritingA major reason why resolutions dont stick is that we often forget to make them a priority. Writing down a resolution and looking at it often will make it seem like a real obligation. Write down your resolution and what you hope to accomplish.
Now that we have a plan, it is time to get to work. A simple way to get going is to find a free weekend to work on your first update. Whether you plan to install new environment-friendly shower heads or paint the bathroom cabinets, pick a date and start your work. As the year progresses, you will see the benefits of your hard work and appreciate the increased value of your home.
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 Thanksgiving has passed and has rung in the season filled with parties, family gatherings, and lots of treats. The busy time of year is here, but that does not mean that you have to pause your efforts to sell your house. Home inventories can be lower during the winter months making it still a good time to sell a home.
Can we decorate for the holidays? One of the big questions asked this time of year is, Is decorating for the holidays off-limits when selling your home? Opinion varies among professionals, but most suggest keeping the decoration to a minimum. Staging a home is a critical factor in selling a home.
You may argue that holiday decor adds character and warmth. Yes, some does. However, some holiday decorations do not help you reach your goal: to sell your home. Selling your home is about marketing and staging your home. In order to stage your home, you must depersonalize so that potential buyers can connect to it. Professional stagers and real estate agents know that homeowners who detach themselves from their home allow visitors to envision their lives in the home. Both religious and non-religious decorations can be distracting or off-putting for some buyers.
What should we do for the holidays? Instead of pulling out all your yard ornaments, inflatable snowglobes, and candycane sidewalk border, try to craft a wintry theme for decorations. Limit your additions to greenery and winter florals, and dont go overboard. Seasonal annuals will add a nice touch. Just as youve cleaned and organized your entire home, continue to avoid holiday clutter. Its always important to create a warm and inviting space using colors and scents.
Your home is now an item that needs to be sold. Keeping the holiday decor simple and wintry can help sell your home faster. The winter months can be a great time to sell!
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Grilling out or barbecuing is a great summertime activity to share with your friends and family. Use these tips from Re/MAX First to ensure youre staying safe while enjoying your outdoor summer meals.
#1: Cook meats thoroughly.
Some people like their burgers and steaks practically bleeding, while others dont want to see a trace of pink. And while you may want to satisfy your guests tastes, you also want to keep them safe. The only way to tell for sure that a food is thoroughly cooked is to use a reliable food thermometer. Use these guidelines to ensure youre cooking your food to safe temperatures. (Temperatures are given in Fahrenheit.)
- Poultry: 165 degrees, or 180 degrees for whole birds
- Hamburgers: 160 degrees
- Beef, Veal, Lamb: 145 degrees (for medium rare; 160 will get you to medium)
- Pork: 160 degrees
- Fish: 145 degrees
- Hot dogs, brats, and other pre-cooked items: 165 degrees
#2: Grill in the right place.
Never grill in an enclosed area. The fumes can be toxic, and sparks can easily start a fire. And because of those sparks, youll also want to set up your grill in an area free from trees, bushes and yard debris that could easily catch fire.
#3: Be prepared.
Always have a water hose, a bucket of sand, or a fire extinguisher nearby just in case something does go wrong. Use mitts and long-handled utensils meant for grilling that means fire-retardant materials whenever possible. Lastly, keep children and pets occupied far away from the grill to keep them safe and sound while you prepare the meal.
Find the Perfect Home for Summer Get-Togethers with Re/MAX First
If you have dreams of hosting barbecues for your friends and family, our certified, professional Realtors at RE/MAX First can help you find a home with the perfect space for grilling out. Give us a call at 913-338-1880 or visit our website for more information.
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Finding the right neighborhood is as personal as finding the right house. The first step toward finding the perfect neighborhood is to define what that means to you. Here are some factors to consider.
Wont You Be My Neighbor?
Do you envision yourself hanging out with your neighbors, socializing at block parties, and seeing your kids playing with others, running from yard to yard? Or does the idea of a secluded, quiet area, with space to enjoy your privacy sound like your cup of tea? Perhaps something in-between? Whatever your preference, youll want to see if any given neighborhood or area has the sort of social vibe youre looking for before you commit to buying a house there.
Town&Country
Do you want to live in the thick of a bustling city, smack dab in the middle of all the energy and activities it has to offer? Or are the suburbs more up your alley, with lots of space, green areas? Maybe youre a country boy or girl at heart and want even more space to start a large garden or even raise some chickens. Think about your ideal location and its surroundings when youre choosing where to live.
Drive Time
If you have a job or are relocating to a place where you already have a job lined up, that might factor into your decision as well. How long of a commute are you willing to deal with? Is the availability of public transportation important to you? What about the length of time it takes to get to your favorite activities? Some people love driving or at least dont mind it, while others loathe getting behind the wheel. Make sure you choose a place to live with the potential for driving in mind, too.
Get Advice from a Realtor
If youre looking for a new home in a neighborhood youll love, our certified, professional Realtors at RE/MAX First can help you find the perfect fit. Give us a call at (913) 338-1880 or visit our website for more information.
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 When youre looking to sell your home, it can be hard to balance the desire to make it as appealing as possible without pouring a ton of money into something you're not going to get to use yourself. Here are three remodeling projects that can actually make a big difference in selling your home.
Update Your Kitchen
One remodeling project that is almost universally appealing is a kitchen upgrade. Now, we know what youre thinking its easy to pour tens of thousands of dollars into a kitchen remodel, and its unlikely that youll make kind of money back in your sale price. But you dont have to gut your entire kitchen to make a big difference. For instance, instead of replacing your cabinetry, try staining or painting them instead. Paint the walls. Replace the fixtures.
If you've got a little more room in your budget, consider replacing the counters or adding a tile backsplash. Its a matter of doing your homework on the bigger-ticket items. For instance, if you want to upgrade to granite countertops, look at tier 2 or 3 granite instead of tier 1, or buy a thinner or prefabricated counter-top. You have options!
Update Your Bathrooms
One of the best ways to improve your homes selling potential is to update your bathroom. You can go smaller and less expensive by simply updating the lighting or the plumbing fixtures, or you can spend a little more by replacing the vanity area and installing tile flooring.
If you've got an old cracked sink pedestal or a boring mirror, replacing those items can go a long way, and if you do a little shopping (or even install them yourself if youre the handy type), then this can be a very budget-friendly upgrade.
The nice thing about guest bathrooms in particular is the floor area is generally small, so even updating the flooring from builders grade linoleum to a sturdy, stylish tile wont break the bank. And think about what an impression a nice, beautiful bathroom makes when youre visiting someones home for the first time or even a business establishment. There are a lot of great choices out there for every budget.
Update Your Floors
As we noted for bathrooms, updating your floors is a great way to make your home more appealing. Theres nothing like the look and feel of fresh, new carpet, and hardwood floors really add a touch of class.
Again, the key here is to shop around. If youve got a small area, consider springing for tile or hardwood. Check into laminate flooring there are options out there now that look and feel just like hardwoods for a fraction of the price, and you can save on installation because they are very easy to install. If your carpet is in decent shape, consider bringing in the pros to do a deep cleaning to restore it to like-new appearance. If you've already got hardwoods, have them buffed so they really shine.
Its important that you dont get carried away with your home improvement projects the more you spend, the less likely youll recoup the expense when your home sells. But smaller-ticket items like the ones above are great items to really give your home an edge. Its definitely a buyers market out there, so give yourself every advantage you can.
If youre unsure about whether or not a project is worth it, a certified Realtor can be a great help in figuring out which projects can add value and marketability to your home. If youre in the market to sell your house, our experienced and professional Realtors at RE/MAX First can help you at every stage of the selling process. If you are ready to get your house on the market, give us a call at 913-712-2020 or visit our website for more information.
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House cleaning the Quick and "GREEN" way! I enjoy cleaning my house. I know, strange but it is a great sense of accomplishment once you take a step back and see what you have done. I just feel better, less stressed when my house is clean. But it can be stressful getting to that point so doing just a little bit everyday will give you some relief and you won't feel so overwhelmed when you really dig in and scrub your house.
Kitchen
Clear out and wipe down the sink (5 minutes). No piles of dirty dishes! Move them into the dishwasher, and wipe the sink with a sponge.
Wipe down countertops and stove (1 minute). Clean splatters and spills with a damp cloth or sponge and an all-purpose cleanser.
Wipe problem spots on the floor (2 minutes). You can save a full-floor mop for the weekend, but use the same cloth (once youve finished with the countertops) to quickly clean any spills or sticky spots, which will attract dirt and get more noticeable if left alone.
Fold or hang dish towels (30 seconds). Even if theyre clean, a jumble of dish towels on the counter can look messy. Take a few moments to fold or hang them.
Bathroom
Wipe out the sink (30 seconds). If you use a premoistened cloth to wipe your face, swipe the sink bowl and faucet handles with it, too. Or use a washcloth, paper towel, or a product like Windex Glass and Surface Wipes, which dont leave streaks on chrome or mirror.
Clean splatters off the mirror (15 seconds). Got foamy toothpaste spray on the mirror? Do a quick swipe with the same cloth you used on the sink.
Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds). Same cloth! Just do the toilet last.
Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds). If you see a ring, give it a quick scrub.
Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds). Wipe down glass doors to remove water droplets that can cause spotting. No squeegee? Use a dry towel.
Spray the shower and curtain liner with a shower mist (15 seconds). A quick spray with a daily cleanser will reduce buildup of mildew and soap scum.
Bedroom
Make your bed (2 minutes). Even a fluffy down comforter pulled up over messy sheets will look polished.
Fold or hang clothes and put away jewelry (4 minutes). Even better: Resist the urge to toss them somewhere in the first place! Put them away as you take them off.
Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds). Take last nights water glass to the kitchen, stow your reading glasses in a drawer, and straighten books or magazines.
Living Room
Tidy the sofa (2 minutes). Its likely the focus of the room, so neaten it. Fluff the pillows and fold the throws.
Pick up crumbs with a handheld vacuum (1 minute). Concentrate on surfaces in plain sight: sofa cushions, coffee table, and rugs in the middle of the room. Look for dust bunnies, too.
Wipe tables and spot-clean cabinets where you see fingerprints (1 minute). Use a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer cloth to pick up dust. If the surfaces are streaked or sticky, use a moist cloth.
Straighten coffee table books and magazines (2 minutes). Toss old newspapers and corral the remote controls into one place (a drawer, if possible).
Clear major clutter (5 minutes). Stash video games, toys, and anything else you might trip over.
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 Love your Yard
When it comes to people, its whats on the inside that counts. But when it comes to selling your house, its the outside that can determine whether or nor a potential buyer even decides to look inside at all! Here are some tips to get your house in great shape to sell from the outside in.
Landscaping
You dont have to go all out here, but your yard should look clean and put together. Rake your leaves, mow your grass, trim your trees and bushes, and maybe plant a few flowers. Remember, you want the buyer to be able to imagine the home you are selling as their house, so shoot for clean and clear rather than extravagant.
The Outside Walls
How do your windows and siding look? Are they in good condition, or could they use a good cleaning and a layer of paint? If you have brick, make sure its free of mold or moss. Pull down any plants that may be growing up the side of your house. Clean out your gutters.
The Backyard
Just like a business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back mullet is never a good hairstyle, its also not a good look for your house. Spend the same amount of time and energy on the back as you do on the front, as you can be sure any prospective buyers are going to look there, too. Clean up any toys or lawn tools and store them. Again, mow your lawn, and maybe do a little landscaping.
The Final Product
Even though it may seem counterintuitive to spend so much time, energy and even money on a house youre trying to sell, its important to remember that youll get a huge return on your investment. Some say it only takes a potential buyer 8 seconds to decide whether or not they want to go inside, and spending an extra couple hundred dollars and a few afternoons of hard work can net you as much as $5,000 in added sale value. Trust us, its worth it.
Our experienced and professional Realtors at RE/MAX First can help you figure out how to stage your house to get the best and quickest selling price possible. If youre ready to get your house on the market, give us a call at 913-338-1880 or visit our website for more information.
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Its SPRING time!  Time to open up the windows and clean the house, but don't forget an important thing to check in your homes; smoke detectors.This is a great time to make sure you have smoke detectors in all the right areas of your home and that they are all working. While you are changing the batteries in the smoke detectors you should also set up an escape plan with the people living in your house. Check to make sure no exit is blocked and that windows are able to be opened. With a plan everyone will know where they need to go and how to get out if a fire should happen in your house. Go to www.usfa.fema.gov to find ways to help you design an escape plan. The website also has helpful tips on how to install smoke alarms and to maintain them.
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The Luck of the Irish what an ambiguous phrase if ever there were one! Its often used to refer to the serendipitous luck one might experience by stumbling upon a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But it seems the Irish could have used a little of the Luck of the Irish th emselves through the course of history.
From being pillaged and plundered by the Vikings in the 700s, the Tudors trying to wipe them out in the 1500s, the potato famine in the 1800s, and anything but a warm welcome in the States, its clear the Irish havent always had the best of luck. On the other hand, theres something to be said for the fact that they survived all these trials, so maybe they are lucky after all!
In truth, the term probably has an American origin. During the Gold and Silver Rush in the 1800s, many of the most successful miners were first- or second-generation Irish. Even then, people often used the term in an almost-derogatory way, as if it were sheer luck and not skill that led so many Irishmen and women to their fortunes.
Having the Luck or at least the perseverance! of the Irish is certainly a good thing when buying or selling your home, but the less you can leave to chance, the better! At RE/MAX First, our experienced and professional Realtors can help you get your house sold so you can move onto greener pastures, or they can help you find those greener pastures in your search for a new home. Give us a call at (913) 338-1880 or visit our website for more information.
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