Thursday, January 12, 2012

Go green to sell your home faster!


These days, it seems as if everyone is growing more concerned with protecting the environment and going green; especially home buyers. Because of all the great benefits of owning a green home, there is an increasing demand for Eco-friendly, green friendly homes in the housing market. The benefits of owning a green home are innumerable: green homes are safer for your health, much cheaper and easier to maintain, and better for the environment. Buyers are looking to make that switch to gain peace of mind, and to drastically cut utility expenses.

How can a green home benefit the home seller? Being able to state your home is eco-friendly is a huge draw for buyers, giving your home a leading edge in the tough housing market competition. Buyers are also willing to pay more for a home with energy saving additions. Avoid getting stuck in the stagnant housing market! If you want to sell your home faster, consider making these green changes:

Lighting accounts for 20% of all home energy use. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) use 75% less energy than traditional light bulbs. Replace old light bulbs in permanent fixtures to add value and boost your homes efficiency.

Typical household paint may contain upwards of 300 known toxic chemicals (half of which have been linked to cancer) and a total of more than 10,000 total chemicals. These toxic emissions linger in the air for years after any paint job is complete. Volatile Organic Compounds are the worst offenders in the paint chemical category. VOC-free paint is free of the noxious odors that are usually associated with painting; resulting in safer, healthier air quality.

Eco-friendly buyers are opting towards bamboo flooring and cabinets not only for their beauty but also for their endless sustainability. Hardwood trees can take up to 80 years to reach the height and density large enough to harvest, whereas bamboo reaches its maximum height in less than a year, and becomes dense enough to harvest within four to six years. Like a grass, bamboo quickly regenerates and can be cut without harming the plant.

The kitchen can make or break a home sale, especially if the appliances are outdated. Besides the aesthetic appeal, modern appliances have a distinct advantage: energy efficiency. Energy efficient appliances have been found to use up to 50% less energy and water than older, standard models.

In order to obtain maximum water conservation, replace your old toilet with a dual-stage flush toilet. Stage one, a low volume half flush, is for liquid waste. Stage two performs a full tank flush to wash away solid waste. By letting your faucet run for five minutes uses as much energy as it takes to keep a 60-watt light bulb lit for 14 hours. Installing low-flow shower heads and faucets, water consumption associated with bathing will decrease by up to 70%.

Based on the article by Michelle J Costa.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Buying Real Estate for Investment


Buying real estate for investment can be an exciting as well as frustrating moment. If you are nervous about investing in a new home just because you don't think that you understand enough about the process, then continue reading this article and you will find lots of great information for you on how to make and where to get the best deal.

Buy low and sell high. This tip of money making in general is also very relevant to real estate. The current real estate housing market is greatly favoring buyers. This is actually the ideal time to start investing in real estate in this profitable but unstable market. It is a great time to buy low and hold on to your investment real estate for several years before making great profit in the future.

Things You Need to Consider When Buying Real Estate for Investment
You should think about the type of life you want to live when buying a home. If you want a country lifestyle, you should not move somewhere on the suburbs. When you buy a home, it should be in an area that is similar to the lifestyle you want to live.

Try not to be frustrated if you can't find the appropriate home for you and your loved ones immediately. Hunting for a new home is a very long and tiresome process that some individuals easily quit on. You have to learn to remain calm and be as patient as possible. Eventually, you will find the home that you are looking for.

One of the most important things you want to look at when searching for a new home is closet spaces. Are there enough closet spaces for you and your family's belongings? Not only it is essential for you and your family's need, but also it is important for potential buyers when you decide to sell you house in the future. Walk-in closets are even better and consider as a positive bonus!

Ask about crime rates in the neighbourhood. If they are high, try to ask yourself why that is the case. In general, a neighbourhood with strong community ties like an organization of neighborhood watch is more likely has less crime rates.

How Many Should You Have to Look at Before Investing Investment Real Estate
How many homes should you have to look at? Generally the number is under or around ten. It will be hard to make a decision if you look at more than ten homes at the time. Let's be realistic, it may be physically possible to look over more than twenty homes, but it will be hard to remember the specific details about these homes.

When you find yourself getting ready to buy a home, you are already aware the selling price, but figuring out your offer is a very important step. Go though the recent sale in the neighbourhood, the house condition or if any other improvement has made, conditions of current market and the seller's situations. With the seller's help, you will be able to come out with a final selling price that both of you are satisfied with.

So now that you know a little bit more about the home buying real estate for investment process, you can use these tips and nuggets of information to be a pro buyer in no time. Real-estate property purchase does not have to be frightening or scary, it is all about what you know and what you want and having the confidence you need to make the appropriate moves.

The current real estate housing market environment is greatly favouring in buyers. This is actually the ideal opportunity for you to start buying real estate for investment in this profitable but unstable market. If you are concerned about putting your hard earned money here, yet still wish to or perhaps even need to, then you first need to prepare yourself by getting the information you need before investing investment real estate. Making the right move will provide you and your family with a fantastic home as well as to improve your own personal financial portfolio.

Based on the article by Sue Greene.