house: Three "Fresh Thinking" Starts For 2016
- 01/08/16 08:40 AM
Do you start each New Year full of great intentions only to discover, before January ends, that you've slipped back to "always done it that way" behavior and thinking?
To kick 2016 into high gear without changing where you do business and what you sell, first take stock of where you're starting from:
*Seemingly small changes to thinking can have significant impact on your established sales and business patterns. To be powerful, this fine-tuned fresh thinking must be applied consistently and with creativity and commitment. How conscious are you of what differentiates your work and of who values the services you offer?
*Begin by … (1 comments)
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house: Hackers Continue To do Wire Transfer Fraud In Real Estate Transactions
- 01/07/16 06:41 AM
About one year ago, our column dealt with the subject of wire transfer fraud in real estate transactions. Regrettably, the topic is still a current one. On December 15, NAR issued an alert on the subject. Anecdotally, incidents have increased in the Southern California area. The nature of the scam is unchanged, so what was said last year is still on point. It goes as follows.
Wire transfer instructions are emailed to the buyer. The buyer complies with the instructions to the letter. The next day, escrow contacts the buyer asking if the money has been sent yet. The buyer checks with … (3 comments)
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house: Disaster Preparation To Keep You Safe In a Catastrophic Storm
- 01/07/16 05:39 AM
A natural disaster can happen anywhere, at any time. In light of deadly spring-like storms that tore through Texas the day after Christmas, ravaging cities and tearing apart neighborhoods, we thought it was time to take a look at some disaster preparations people can make to protect themselves and their properties. Whether you live in earthquake country, tornado alley, or in a hurricane zone, there are important steps you can take.
Get an inspection
It's a given when buying a house, but you can schedule one in your current home, too. An inspection can turn up items that need fixing or replacing, which … (0 comments)
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house: How To Choose a Standby Generator For Your Home
- 01/04/16 02:51 AM
Approaching bad weather always produces a run on certain items. Incoming blizzards empty stores of snow blowers; heat waves have air conditioners flying off of the shelves; the threat of power outages makes it difficult for retailers to keep portable generators in stock.
But many homeowners - especially those in parts of the country that have experienced storm-caused power outages - have started taking a closer look at permanent home generators. That's with good reason: Power outages are not only inconvenient, but they also can be dangerous and expensive. An outage during cold weather can lead to frozen or burst water pipes. … (1 comments)
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house: 16 Ways To Make Your Home Look New For The New Year For Under $1,000
- 01/04/16 02:47 AM
It's common to start thinking about a new house in the New Year. We all do it (in fact, we're doing it right now). But if it's not a practical time to but (or sell) or you're not in a financial position to make that kind of change, you can still make your house feel like new. Make one big change or a couple of smaller ones to breathe new life into your home. In honor of the coming new year, we've got 16 ways to go about it, and you can do them for under $1,000.
1. Paint!
You won't find a … (1 comments)
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house: Top Interior Design Trends For 2016
- 12/30/15 09:47 AM
Getting the itch to redo your house? Truth: We have it all year round. But, there's something about the ushering in of a new year and the literal renewal it brings that makes the idea of a fresh look even more inviting.
Check out a few of the interior design trends for 2016 for some more inspiration and a little direction.
French Country
For some, this French country design motif never went out of style. But the influence of shows like HGTV's popular "Fixer Upper" have brought it to the forefront. Waxed and weathered paint on furniture, shiplap treatments, and accessories bearing the show's … (2 comments)
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house: Is Now The Time For You To Go Solar?
- 12/30/15 06:18 AM
Lost in all the talk of dropping oil prices and rising interest rates is news that is expected to transform the solar world, and the homes (and bank balances) of those who have (or want) solar energy. A federal tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this year was instead just extended for five more years.
"In a surprise move, U.S. lawmakers agreed to extend tax credits for solar and wind for another five years," said Bloomberg News. "This will give an unprecedented boost to the industry and change the course of deployment in the U.S."
The extension means … (2 comments)
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house: Written Real Estate Contract Is Required To Buy A House
- 12/29/15 04:37 AM
There is a very ancient legal concept called the "Statute of Frauds". Oversimplified, and as it applies to real estate, this means in order to have a binding contract to purchase (or sell) real estate, there must be a written document. Oral contracts will usually not be enforced by the Courts.
In most jurisdictions in the United States, when a potential buyer makes a written offer to purchase a house, the seller has three options:
*the offer can be accepted, in which case there is a contract;
*the offer can be rejected, or
*the offer can be met with a counter-offer.
This means that while the … (0 comments)
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house: Keep Your Children Safe From Identity Theft
- 12/28/15 10:47 PM
Identity theft is commonly thought of as a problem only adults deal with. But the truth is children make an easy target. Social Security numbers, names, and other personal information has been used by hackers and other types of identity thieves to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of debt. How do you protect your children's information before they are old enough themselves? Here is a look at the problem and what you can do about it.
How At Risk Are They?
A study done in 2009 and 2010 by Carnegie Mellon CyLab took a close look at child identity theft, … (0 comments)
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house: Important Clauses In Your Real Estate Contract
- 12/28/15 06:39 PM
You have just found your dream house, and would like to buy it. What to do now?
When dealing with real estate matters, the law is clear: everything has to be in writing. Thus, you will need a sales contract, which will spell out all of the terms, conditions and special requirements you may (or will) need in order to conclude the transaction and go to closing (settlement) on the house.
If there is no real estate agent involved, your attorney should be able to assist you in preparing the contract offer. If there is a real estate agent, you can get a … (0 comments)
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house: Don't Sell Your House Through An Essay Contest
- 12/23/15 10:50 AM
Question: I am interested in moving my real estate by using an essay contest. Is it legal? What is the procedure? Do you have any comments about the usefulness of this technique?
Answer: I am personally very much opposed to using an essay contest for the sale -- or purchase -- of a house.
Let us first look at how this essay contest works. The promoter -- usually a person who has been trying to sell his or her house without success -- decides to advertise that the house will be sold to the person who writes the best essay. Each applicant must … (0 comments)
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house: Choosing Window Treatments: Pros and Cons
- 12/23/15 06:51 AM
Deciding on the right size, color, fabric and pillow configuration for your couch took three weeks. You still haven't decided on the paint color for the bedroom, despite having seven different shades of blue in swatches up on the wall. It seems like every design decision you've made in your home was critical, but the one that will help pull it all together hasn't garnered a moment of thought.
"Of all the design decisions homeowners make when decorating a home - paint color, furniture, fabrics, rugs, lighting, accessories - window treatments often get overlooked or receive inadequate attention," said Karen Egly-Thompson on … (1 comments)
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house: Getting The Best From a Real Estate Investment
- 12/22/15 06:43 AM
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute categorizes real estate as an alternative investment that includes residential and commercial properties as well as mortgage-based securities and real estate investment trusts. For most real estate investors, these investments are characterized as income-generating properties that see revenue from rent earned and capital appreciation from the increase in market value. Since this investment vehicle depends on the net operating income (NOI), maximizing cash flow is key to a successful real estate investment.
Property Valuation
To fully understand the importance of cash flow to real estate investment, it is necessary to know that the value of the property … (0 comments)
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house: Are You Better Off Staying With the Herd? City or Country Living?
- 12/22/15 06:23 AM
When it comes to finding the ideal environment for you and your family to live, it goes without saying that safety is a top priority. But will you be safer in the city, living among groups of people or going it alone in a rural atmosphere? Before jumping into somewhere based on your instincts, use some basic research techniques to find out the facts. Safety has many faces, from physical to financial, and each environment has its own risks and rewards. The best choice for you depends on the facts you ferret out.
Physical Safety
All things being equal, it seems logical that … (1 comments)
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house: 10 Ways To Transform Your Trashy Old Furniture Into Standout Pieces
- 12/20/15 11:02 PM
We know. That antique sideboard or set of chairs you got after your grandma died is sentimental, but also completely clashy with every other piece of furniture you own, not to mention out of touch with your general sense of style.
Don't trash it or stash it. Beautify it with a coat or paint or some fresh new upholstery. You just might end up with a killer item that becomes the centerpiece of your space.
Here are 10 ways to transform those old pieces into something amazing:
1. Paint it black
A sad finish on a great, solid piece of furniture can bring it down. … (2 comments)
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house: Foolproof Holiday Hostess Gifts
- 12/18/15 07:46 AM
With Christmas right around the corner, you've probably made a good dent in your shopping list for all of those important family, friend, and colleague presents. But have you tackled the tough task of purchasing a hostess gift? This is often one of the most challenging gifts because:
*You don't want to go overboard
*But you don't want to look cheap
*You want your gift to be memorable and unique
*You may not know the host as well as other people on your gift list.
You can't go wrong with these foolproof holiday hostess gifts:
Custom-Feel Ornaments
Scoutmob has a slew of ornaments and gifts … (1 comments)
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house: 6 Tips For Selling Your Home In Winter 2016
- 12/18/15 01:41 AM
Winter can be a harsh, unappealing time of year to sell your home. With 2016 about to rev up, it's especially important to make your home stand out if you want to sell in the New Year. Here are some essential tips for making your house #1 on the market as the year begins:
#1 Warmth is top priority.
Your home should always be warm when a realtor conducts a walkthrough with buyers. Set a timer on your thermostat so it's warm when they arrive. Also make sure to check there are no leaks or problems with your ducts and vents, as this … (1 comments)
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house: 20 Quick Fixes To Do Before Holiday Guests Arrive
- 12/16/15 05:32 AM
So, you've been working like mad so you can take a few days off over the holidays and Christmas shopping like a champ in your free time. Now it's days - or maybe hours - from when your family will be descending on your home, and it looks like a Ronda Rousey fight just took place in your living room. When you don't have time to call a housekeeper or do a top-to-bottom overhaul, you need tips for quick fixes to pull it all together.
1. De-clutter in a pinch
"If you have heaps of laundry and a mishmash of toiletries in the … (2 comments)
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house: Why It's Smart To Buy A Home During The Holidays
- 12/16/15 05:26 AM
Spring is the start of the hot real estate season for a few obvious reasons, nice weather and the desire to move during the summer when kids are out of school at the top of the list. But embarking on a home search during the holidays can be advantageous to buyers. Thinking about taking the plunge? Here are a few reasons you should be looking for a new home now.
The potential for a great deal
There's an assumption that anyone selling over the holidays, and thereby taking time away from family get-togethers and Christmas shopping and is selling because they have to, … (0 comments)
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house: Real Estate Moves To Make Before The End Of The Year
- 12/14/15 10:20 PM
Many of us know about some end-of-the-year financial tips we can use to lower our tax obligations - maxing out our 401(k), funding an IRA, and making charitable donations. But there are several real estate-related actions that can also help. With time ticking down before the calendar rolls over to a new year, jump on some of these smart strategies that can help you hold on to more of your money.
1. Buy a house
With a quick escrow, you can close before the end of the year, which will mean you can take a nice deduction on your 2015 taxes. "We calculated … (3 comments)
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Do you start each New Year full of great intentions only to discover, before January ends, that you've slipped back to "always done it that way" behavior and thinking?
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