Thursday, January 19, 2012
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or break a home sale, especially if the appliances are outdated.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.
Monday, January 9, 2012
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.
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