Breathe Easy - Clean Your Ducts

Here, in Wisconsin, summer is all too fleeting. October is just around the corner, and the cool, crisp air of autumn is soon to follow. It won’t be long before we seal up our homes and settle in for the long winter ahead.

Since many of us will soon forego fresh air for forced air, it’s important for those of us living with air ducts in our homes to have them inspected and cleaned. Improving your indoor air quality can go a long way toward improving your overall health. If you’re not breathing well, you’re not living well.

It’s recommended that air duct systems be cleaned no less than once every two years. If you smoke, suffer from allergies, have pets that shed hair or dander, or live in a high-traffic, high-pollution, or high-dust area, it’s recommended that you have your HVAC (heating ventilation air condition) system cleaned annually.

It’s also a good idea to have your system inspected and cleaned if you’ve just purchased a previously-occupied home, or your home is newly constructed or recently remodeled. Construction creates a great deal of dust, and it’s a bit unseemly to think of the dust, hair, & dander from previous owners being blown throughout your home and becoming the air you breathe.

When researching air duct cleaning companies, be sure to compare their scope of services. Some companies only clean the ductwork, which is only part of the system.

Pay attention to certifications, accreditations, and affiliations. You should be able to learn a great deal from their websites, regarding experience, training, services, processes, and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Many companies provide you with the opportunity to see what your ducts look like before and after cleaning, which may be an alarming, but helpful, visual. Service quotes should be free, and are typically available via phone or email.

Be sure to shop around, and ask friends, family, or co-workers for possible referrals. Here are a few links to various area service providers, to help get you started:

DUCTZ
Dirty Ducts Cleaning
SERVPRO
Stanley Steemer

Relocating? Pack it Up!

With the economy being what it is today, competition for employment is fierce. More people are determining they’re willing to move wherever they can find a decent job and attempt to regain some stability.

If the new employer offers a relocation package, it’s typical that moving expenses are paid, but the movers only insure what they themselves pack. For homeowners who now need to sell their homes to relocate, they may be hesitant to box up anything themselves. This may be fine for décor and wardrobe minimalists, but few homeowners fall into that category.

So, if this scenario applies to you, congratulations on your new opportunity! Now go get some boxes.

It’s wonderful that someone else is going to do all of the packing and moving for you, but you likely still have some work to do to get your home photo-perfect and show-ready. If you don’t take the time to prepare your home for public viewing, you could be cheating yourself out of thousands of dollars of sale proceeds. It’s also unfair to expect your real estate agent to put all sorts of time and money into marketing efforts when you haven’t done your job as homeowner first.

Take a good look around your home, paying particular attention to areas that attract clutter – and that could be anywhere. Begin to edit furnishings, décor, collections, pantry items, and overstuffed cabinets and closets. Be careful not to over-edit – you don’t want to pack up items you’ll need to have accessible until you move, and you don’t want your home to seem cold or completely devoid of personality. You just want buyers to see the great space they’ll be buying, and that’s easier to see with fewer items to distract them.

Now, there’s no need to pay for boxes, since the movers will surely come with their own packing materials. Think back to your years of apartment dwelling – and moving. Call grocery stores and office supply stores to find out when they receive their shipments, and tell them you’d like to take some boxes off their hands. You just need to be timely in your pick-up, or else they’ll have broken down the boxes already.

Since the movers will need to properly pack the items you’re temporarily placing in mismatched boxes, you don’t need to be overly careful with your packing techniques. Begin with items that aren’t fragile – clothing, seasonal shoes/boots/coats, towels, blankets, linens, metal baking pans and cookware that aren’t often used, games, books, DVDs, CDs, toys, etc. Extra furniture might be shuffled to a less furnished room or storage space.

When it comes to breakables, consider moving them to another space that you’ve managed to empty of non-breakables – like a cabinet, closet, or even inside a piece of furniture that buyers won’t look in because it’s your personal property. You get the idea.

In this housing market, you can’t leave success to chance – and you can’t place all of the responsibility on the shoulders of your real estate agent. So, get crackin’ and get packin’!

The Selling Point of Seasonal Photos

Spring has finally sprung in southern Wisconsin. Ask any allergy sufferer, and they’ll tell you it’s officially spring.

Now that the grass is actually green, the trees are budding, and tulips and other such perennials are in bloom, homeowners should be sure to take photos of their landscaping, as well as nice shots of the front and back of their home (be sure to get plenty of yard in the picture). This should be done in spring, summer, and fall – even winter, if your property looks particularly lovely covered in snow and ice.

Keep digital files of these photos, updating them every couple of years or when you’ve done something new to the landscaping or exterior of the property – whichever comes first. This will allow you to be prepared with excellent outside photos, no matter what time of year you eventually list your house for sale.

Those who have had to list their homes in winter can attest to the need for such photos. It’s no accident that most homes are listed for sale during the spring and summer months – at least in colder climates. Properties simply look more attractive when the landscaping is leafy, colorful and vibrant, and the home itself isn’t surrounded by several feet of snow.

But if you’re ever in the position of having to sell your home during the winter months, include spring and summer photos in your online listing. Also display these photos in your home for buyers to take a look at during a showing. Place them in a special photo album or spread them out on the kitchen counter or dining room table – a place where they can’t be missed.

Buyers can’t visualize how beautiful a property is when it’s covered in snow - unless they're buying a ski chalet. Give them every opportunity to view your property in its best light – or season.

Curb Appeal is Real

You know them when you see them. Driving around any neighborhood, there’s always at least one property that stands out from the others. Perfect lawn, great landscaping, fantastic looking home… You wonder if the inside looks as amazing as the outside. Well, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t, but the point is that you’re curious about the inside because of the outside. And that could help you attract buyers, when it comes time to sell your home.

So, it’s not just a gimmick. Curb appeal is real. HGTV introduced us to the concept years ago, but people seem slow to catch on. Perhaps we’re too busy to achieve all of our property enhancement goals. Or perhaps we’re intimidated by trying to wrestle Mother Nature in full view of our neighbors. Money is often a factor, but it needn’t be. Much improvement can be made with little financial investment.

As with any home improvement project, it’s best to have a plan. But first, begin by writing down general ideas about how you want your property to appear from the outside.

Would you like to see more lighting?
More flowers, but fewer bushes?
Or different bushes – fewer evergreens?
Do you envision trees in your yard?
Does the exterior of your home need painting?
Perhaps some shutters or flower boxes to add some charm?
What about the front entrance? How can it be more inviting?
New door, new hardware, new lighting, mailbox, or address numbers?
How could you liven up the front walkway?
How does the garage door look?
Could your driveway use some work?

Sure, your list could grow to be very long, but that’s okay. Just pace yourself. You don’t have to do everything at once, and not all of your projects will cost you money.

Pruning trees, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, edging lawns, cleaning up plant beds, raking up remaining leaves – yard clean-up can be a workout, but it’s free and it makes a big difference. If you’re looking to create new plant beds or enhance the ones you have, most communities offer free mulch/wood chips to anyone willing to haul them away. Check with your community’s Public Works Department to see if and when this is available where you live. And check with your community’s sanitation department to see when they will haul away yard waste in your neighborhood. Communities typically offer this service twice a year – in spring and fall.

I always say it’s best to know your limitations. Don’t take on major projects without seeking advice or help from an experienced friend or professional. And don’t start many projects at once, or you could quickly become overwhelmed and lose your enthusiasm. If you don’t have a green thumb, ask your local greenhouse about plants, flowers, and bushes that would be best for your skill set, as well as your yard’s conditions. Is yours a sunny yard, or is there lots of shade? Sandy soil, or is it more like clay?

Also, seek out landscaping elements other than plants, such as wood, brick, stone, or decorative concrete. Pergolas, arbors, gates, and fencing can be beautiful additions to your yard. Landscaping is not just about plants.

If instant gratification is what you need to keep you motivated, you’re in good company. Here are many improvements you can complete in just one day.

So go ahead, get started, and give everyone something to slow down and admire as they drive past your home.

Don’t Ignore Décor

Make no mistake - what makes a house a home is its décor. The paint colors, flooring, lighting, window treatments, and furnishings – collectively, they transform a space, giving it character and life. A house is practical. A home is emotional. That’s why selling a home can be so challenging for a homeowner, and it’s typically how buyers decide to write an offer on a property.

So, buyers – do not spend all of your money on your mortgage. Too often, I’ve seen nice properties overshadowed by their shabby furnishings. Décor is part of the investment you make in buying property – and most of it you get to take with you. Do not underestimate what good décor will do for you when you eventually seek to sell your home.

First-time home buyers, you have a great opportunity to invest in good décor, with the help of the $8000.00 tax credit you may enjoy this year. For a great way to stretch your dollar and purchase some fantastic furniture, seek out consignment shops in your area. The furniture is gently used – often looking brand new – and is substantially less expensive than what you’ll find at new furniture stores. Also check out garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores for unique pieces that might simply need a little clean-up, a small repair, or a fresh coat of paint to bring them back to life. You could literally save yourself thousands of dollars, while infusing your home with great character.

Current homeowners, I know times are tough and money is tight, but there’s much you can do to improve your property – for little to no cost. Decluttering every space in your home will cost you nothing – and now is the best time to tackle that. Clothes, books, movies, games, lamps, furniture, artwork, knick knacks – if you no longer use it, need it, like it, or have space for it, get rid of it. Hold a garage sale to get money for what you can, and then give away the rest. Use the money from your sale to make additional improvements to your property.

Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to make an enormous impact on your home – whether inside or out. And the beauty of paint is that you can always redo it if you have a change of heart about the color – and you won’t break the bank. Many paint manufacturers offer tools on their websites that allow you to experiment with color, so you have an idea of how various colors will look in your own home. Click here and here for examples.

A note of caution: the color you see on your computer monitor/screen may be different from the actual paint swatch at the store. Before making the leap to purchase, collect a variety of paint swatches at the store, and then return to the website on your computer for comparison. (Make sure it’s the same computer, as computer monitors vary too.)

If you’re planning to sell your home soon, complete as many "necessary" projects as you can before listing your property for sale. Take care of any peeling paint, loose stair railings, and any other repairs. Declutter the garage, closets, and rooms; pack up family photos and collectibles so they don’t distract buyers; give walls a fresh coat of paint if you haven’t painted for many years (use neutral tones – preferably warmer tones); thoroughly clean your home, inside and out; and tend to any yard work that could add to your home’s curb appeal. Furniture a little outdated? Consider slipcovers. They’re an inexpensive way to give old furniture a new look – and you can take them with you to your new home.

The more you do to prepare your home for sale, the greater your opportunity to sell sooner than someone who didn’t.

Homeowners, if you’re waiting for inspiration to strike before choosing a project, pick up a few magazines related to home décor, organization, and landscaping. You’ll find an abundance of ideas that will help spur you into action. It’s never too late to improve your home’s décor, and it’s never too soon to get started.

Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask

Now that you have done your homework (see my post, “All Agents are NOT Created Equal”), and you’re ready to schedule interviews with each of the agents you’d like to consider, what should you ask?

Agents who have been in the business for many years may suggest that you ask the following:

1. How long have you been an agent?
2. How many listings do you have?
3. How many sales did you close last year?
4. What’s your average sale time, from listing to close?
5. For what percentage of the list price did your listings sell?

On the surface, these seem like great questions – and the answers are not completely without merit, but they could be very misleading. Let’s review them for a moment:

1. Longevity in this business can be helpful if the agent has been very active AND has embraced the numerous changes that have taken place in the industry. Many seasoned agents are uncomfortable with technology and new forms of research and communication. This discomfort can be an enormous disadvantage for today’s buyers and sellers, where time is of the essence and online marketing is a must. Newer agents are entering the industry with an understanding of what is required to compete in today’s market. They are also fresh from other industries, coming into real estate with a variety of skills – and new energy – that may be just what your listing needs.

2. The number of listings an agent has may not indicate how well the agent performs. The current market and other factors determine how many buyers and sellers an agent is working with. Agents with fewer listings may be be working with more buyers, which could be an advantage for sellers seeking an agent. Those with fewer listings may also dedicate more time to marketing them. That's by no means a hard and fast rule. There are agents with many listings who do an excellent job of serving their clients because they have perfected their service and communication. Then there are others with many listings who may simply show up to list the properties and then collect the commissions, with little contact in between. Some clients are comfortable with this type of service - others are not.

3. The number of sales closed by an agent in a given year does not offer great insight either. In 2008, many agents had numerous deals fall through because buyers could not obtain financing – even when they had good credit. Our current housing climate is throwing seasoned agents for a loop, as much as the rookies.

4. Again, average sale time does not necessarily reflect the efforts and abilities of the agent. It does reflect the nature of the market, but it may also be impacted by the seller. If sellers are unrealistic about how their home should be priced, their home may sit on the market even longer. With all of the options buyers have today, they certainly don’t need to settle for an overpriced home. Moreover, lenders won’t lend a buyer more than the property is actually worth, in current market conditions.

5. The ratio of sales price to list price may or may not be helpful information. If you’re a buyer, you want the sale price to be as low as possible, and as a seller, you want that figure to be high. Also, is the agent figuring the ratio from the original list price, or the most recently reduced list price? Again, this figure is going to reflect what’s happening in the market. And while that is vital information, it’s not going to tell you if the agent is right for you.

So, what questions should you ask? What questions will help you compare the abilities and resources of the agents you wish to consider? Here’s a list that may offer you insight:

* Based on current market stats for your area, how long is it typically taking to sell homes like yours?
* How do they plan to attract buyers to your home? What marketing methods will they use?
* Where will your listing be presented online, for buyers to find it?
* Aside from the yard sign and placing the listing online, what other marketing do they do?
* Do they have any suggestions for how to make your home more salable?
* What do they expect from you, as a client?
* How will they communicate with you, and how often? (Will they use your preferred method of communication?)
* How will you be contacted about showings?
* How will you receive feedback about showings?
* What price do they recommend for your home? How have they arrived at that price? What research did they do?
* What is their commission for the services they (and their company) provide?
* Do they offer a written performance agreement? (This is VERY important.)

And consider these basics:
Do you like the agent’s presentation, communication skills, energy, and personality? Can you see yourself working with this person for at least the next 6 months or more?

If you first take the time to prepare – as I suggested in my last post, “All Agents are NOT Created Equal” – and then pause to interview your top choices, you can then feel comfortable leaving the final decision to your instincts. Information always leads to sharper instincts, which are needed now more than ever.

Home Inspection: A Guide for Active Homeowners

So, you want to prioritize home repairs this year, but don’t know where to begin. If you’ve recently purchased your home, chances are good that you had a professional home inspection completed prior to purchase. You should have received a written inspection report at that time, which would specifically note the repair recommendations for your home. If you cannot locate the report, contact either the home inspector or your real estate agent for a copy.

Many buyers simply file away the inspection report after receiving it, but it is meant to be an active resource for homeowners. If you don’t take action and repair certain items mentioned in the report, those same items could become obstacles for you when you later try to sell your home. If neglected, some smaller repairs could also become bigger fixes. And bigger fixes often come with bigger price tags. So, it’s best to keep your home inspection report handy as a reference guide for repairs.

If you’ve owned your home for many years, you may never have had a professional home inspection completed. Only in more recent years have home inspections become a standard practice for buyers, prior to purchase. Whether preparing to sell, or just trying to keep up with maintenance needs, it’s worthwhile for current homeowners to consider a professional inspection of their property.

In south central Wisconsin, home inspections typically run between $250-300.00 and are 2 to 3 hours long. Properties with greater square footage may run higher and longer. Seek service quotes ahead of time, so you’ll know what you will be charged. Payment is generally due immediately, once the inspection is completed.

For reputable home inspectors in your area, seek a variety of referrals from friends/family/colleagues, mortgage lenders, and/or real estate agents. Home inspector associations can also be a good source, but they may not always have members in your specific area.