We are often asked if it's appropriate for a Seller to have a Home Inspection BEFORE listing their home.  Our answer is YES.  This eliminates any problems that may occure when the Buyer completes their own inspection.  We advise that the Seller attend the inspection so they can ask questions. 

If you are thinking of selling your home now is the time to put your home in order.  To gain an edge within the Real Estate market, your home must be priced right and look better than the competition. 

Please call us if you are looking for contact details for local inspectors.  We would be happy to help.

Linda and Julia

 

 

Easy Ways to Revitalize Your Outdoor Spaces

At about this time every year, we begin to venture out from our living rooms and dens into the porches, backyards and patios that will be our fresh-aired habitat for the next few months. Summer is here.

This year more homeowners are avoiding expensive remodeling projects around the home, including large-scale outdoor projects like building new decks our patio spaces. Likewise, fewer people are spending money on big ticket items like high-end grills, above ground pools our lavish outdoor furniture sets. But reigning in spending doesn't mean you can't upgrade your outdoor life this summer.

Below are just a few ways you can liven up your deck, backyard or patio without shelling out big bucks.

1) Color Coordinate - The easiest way to breathe life into your patio, deck or porch is to commit to a vibrant color scheme. Tablecloths, napkins, outdoor rugs and throw pillows are all inexpensive touches that will add a cohesive splash of color to your surroundings. If you have a wood deck, you may consider staining or painting the decking in a new color (forgoing the bright accent hues for more subdued, complimentary tones).

2) Paint that Plastic - Plastic patio furniture has long been an inexpensive way to furnish outdoor spaces, but most plastic furniture sets have only been available in limited range of solid colors. Due to their unforgiving slick surface, customizing the look of plastic home and garden items was practically impossible. That has all changed with the engineering of new paints designed specifically for plastic surfaces. Using these new paint products, you can easily add a splash of summer color to furniture, garden equipment and children's toys.

3) Change Your Wicker Ways - You can also breathe new life into older wicker furniture with a little paint and some creativity (or failing that, some pre-made patterns). Start by spray-painting your wicker chairs or tables in bright tones. You can dress the furniture up even more by adding patterns with acrylics paints (whether freehand or with stencils). Protect your creation from the elements by adding a layer of spray varnish.

4) Pond in a Box - Adding water elements to a backyard or garden is attractive from an aesthetic standpoint, but can be something of a logistical nightmare (especially for those who try to go the Do-It-Yourself route). Water features require a certain amount of space, money and effort. Consider a lower impact alternative: a deck-top pond. If you're the least bit handy with a hammer, you can fashion your own miniature water garden using a handful of materials from the nearest home and garden center.

Most deck-top ponds are constructed with a distinct garden area (an arrangement of soil, rocks and plants) and a larger pond section that features submerged plants (which do not need soil), marginal plants (planted a pot which is then sunk) and "edge" plants (which are planted along the pond's banks). You can tailor the size of the water garden fit your needs, the materials and surfaces to match your décor and the plant choices to the amount of light available.

5) Paper Lanterns - Japanese style-lanterns are an inexpensive way to add color and style to your outdoor spaces. Once limited to Asian-inspired decorating schemes, today paper lanterns come in a wide variety of designs, shapes and colors. Try a simple set of white lanterns with white lights for understated elegance, or kaleidoscope of bright lanterns for a more avant-garde lighting scheme. You can also choose different colored bulbs for additional variety. Both corded and battery operated lights can be used in paper lanterns depending on your preference.

6) Summer Flowers- It takes but a few well-placed planters of flowers to create a park-like atmosphere. Planter boxes require less up-keep than in ground flowers, perfect for those of us who don't have the greenest of thumbs. A garden store expert can help you choose varieties that will match both your desired colors and the level of upkeep you're most comfortable with.

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Linda and I are really excited to have won the 2008 Quality Service Award for outstanding performance, at our Northern Michigan Broker Council Awards.  We were given this award for Superior Customer Service.  We would like to thank all of our past clients who participated in the Quality Service Award Survey. 

Are You Prepared for the Digital TV Transition?

By now you've likely heard of the coming transition by all television stations to exclusively Digital format. If you don't have a digital television and depend on antenna reception rather than cable or satellite TV, you're in danger of being "in the dark" this summer.

What is the DTV Transition?

Under Federal law, all full power television stations will cease broadcasting analog signals on June 17, 2009(the original transition date of February 17, 2009 was extended by Congress earlier this year). Currently, many television stations are broadcasting in both digital and analog. Approximately 40% of all television stations have switched transitioned to a digital format.

Why the switch to DTV?

There exist a limited number of frequencies within the broadcast spectrum. One of the primary reasons the government is mandating this switch is to free up valuable portions of the broadcast spectrum for use in public safety communications. Following the transition, police, fire and rescue agencies will have access to a greater range of frequencies.

The digital transition also has a tangible benefit for consumers. Digital broadcasting will allow TV stations to offer improved picture and sound quality. Digital broadcasting also allows stations to utilize what is known as "multicasting".

"Multicasting" is the process of providing several channels of digital programming at the same time without using any more of the broadcast spectrum. For example, a single station could broadcast in standard digital on channel 4-1, a high definition version of the program on 4-2, and a third digital program (such as weather ) on 4-3: all simultaneously. DTV can also accommodate interactive video and data technologies that are not possible with analog TV.

A portion of the broadcast spectrum will also be auctioned to wireless communications companies. These companies will then be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (wireless broadband, for example).

What do I need to do?

If you watch over-the-air TV either via a rooftop antenna or an indoor "rabbit ears" antenna, you have three options:

1.       Purchase and setup a Digital-to-Analog converter box - Digital-to-analog converter boxes are available for purchase in stores, and must be hooked up to any TV in your household that currently uses an over-the-air signal. If your current antenna receives a strong signal for channels 2-51 you should not need any additional equipment. Digital-to-analog converter boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition (HDTV).The boxes are priced between $40 and $70. To help with the cost of converter boxes, the U.S. Government is offering up to two $40 coupons per household. For information on coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009.

2.       Purchase a digital television - Note that you do NOT have to buy an HDTV - only a standard definition digital TV. If you get good reception on your current antenna for channels 2-51, you should not need to purchase a new antenna. For more information on the different quality levels of digital television, see the "More on Digital TV" section below.

3.       Subscribe to a paid TV service - If your TV received local broadcast stations via a paid service provider such as cable or satellite TV, you are already prepared for the DTV transition.

More on Digital TV

While there are a number of different quality levels of digital television programming, three are most common:

Standard Definition Television (SDTV) - SDTV is the bottom tier of quality for both analog and digital broadcasts. SDTV may be transmitted in either traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.

Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) - EDTV is of better quality than SDTV, and is broadcast in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format.

High Definition Television (HDTV) - Widescreen (16:9) HDTV provides the best picture and sound quality available in digital TV broadcasts. There are several different grades of resolution within the HDTV range

 

• Floors – scrub, wash and wax floors.
• Carpet – have carpets cleaned and deodorized
• Walls – wash walls, remove fingerprints & cobwebs
• Woodwork - clean with Murphy’s oil soap to remove film and restore luster
• Draperies & Curtains – dry clean or launder if possible
• Lighting Fixtures – wash and clean fixtures, replace light bulbs
• Windows, mirrors, glass cabinets – wash and clean to a sparkle
• Doorknobs, handles and pulls – clean and polish or replace if necessary
• Clean, degrease and deodorize vents and exhaust hoods in the kitchen
• Clean and deodorize garbage disposal and garbage bins
• Clean appliances thoroughly inside and out
• Clean sinks, remove stains
• Clean and polish bathroom fixtures until they sparkle
• Re-caulk tub and sink if necessary
• Clean and organize vanity drawers & medicine cabinets
• Scour sinks, showers and tub to remove mildew or mold
• Clean grout
• Wash mirrors
• Sweep or vacuum floors and ceilings in the basement
• Wipe down furnace, water heater, washer and dryer

• Scrub & deodorize all hard surfaces and use an odor neutralizer

Exterior

• Wash all windows 
• Hose down the siding
• Remove debris from gutters
• Sweep or hose down the sidewalk, driveway and steps leading to the house
• Don't forget the deck and patio

 

As you may have heard, significant improvements in the temporary First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit were signed into law on Feb. 17 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to provide a housing stimulus for first-time home purchases that occur between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2009.

This is even better news for first-time homebuyers than the tax credit announced in April 2008 because not only has the tax credit maximum increased from $7,500 to $8,000 – but more significantly – it does not need to be repaid unless the individual re-sells the home within three years.

There are several notable points about this federal income tax credit that I have bulleted for your convenience. They are 

• Credit maximum was increased from $7,500 to $8,000. The credit is calculated as 10% of the purchase price. Example: If the purchase price is $70,000, the credit is $7,000.
• Removed the repayment requirement, provided the homebuyer does not resell the home for three years.
• Eligibility remains for first-time homebuyers only. In this case, a first-time homebuyer is defined as an individual who has not owned a primary home at any time during the three years prior to purchase, but who may have done so prior to that time. Although certain income limits do apply, the amount of the credit is the same for all taxpayers, married or single.
• To be eligible for the full tax credit, the homebuyer can have an annual adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). A homebuyer with an annual adjusted gross income above that level and up to $95,000 ($170,000 on a joint return) is eligible for a reduced tax credit.
• The tax credit can be claimed on one’s individual or joint tax return for the purchase of any single-family home between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009. It can be claimed on a 2008 tax return (to be filed by April 15, 2009), an amended 2008 tax return, or a 2009 tax return. Individuals should consult a professional tax advisor for exact tax calculations and timing.

 

A CONSUMER GUIDE TO THE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDIT  
As Modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
February 2009

 

 

* Seek advice from a professional tax advisor for specific tax calculations and timing for claiming the tax credit.

 

SOURCE: Based on information provided by the National Association of Realtors. For modifications from prior tax credit announced in April 2008, click here.