Provided By Realty Times
More than one in four homeowners plan to stay in their current home as many as 20 year longer than planned and that's fueling a trend in personalized home improvements.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) says personalizing spaces is a better alternative than fretting over market conditions that ruin plans to move.
NARI said 26 percent of those surveyed in an online NARI.org poll said they plan to stay an additional 16 to 20 years in their homes because home values decreased during the downturn. Another 23 percent said they'd stay put 6 to 10 extra years.
"This is very telling of what homeowners are experiencing as a result of the recession," says NARI National President Dean Herriges, also with Urban Herriges & Sons in Mukwonago, WI.
"Because many homes have recently decreased in value, people are deciding to stick it out for much longer than they had originally planned," Herriges added.
But that's sparked a new remodeling trend that appears to help soothe those bruised hopes - personalized spaces. Homes that better reflect individual lifestyles are better suited as housing for the long haul.
"Remodeling used to be about increasing resale value - making improvements that are appealing to the majority of buyers in order to boost the value of the home," Herriges says.
Not any more.
Man Caves for all The idea behind the Man Cave has a more universal appeal.
"More and more people are throwing out the resale theory and making specialized improvements that suit their needs and their needs only," he added.
It's not just fancy fabrics, finishes and window covers or a n
ew round of the latest appliances. Think caterer kitchens, real work-at-home headquarters, tech centers, 3D home theaters, art rooms, vehicle collection garages, wine cellars and tasting rooms, mini micro breweries, meditation rooms, yoga studios, dog spas, built-in teppanyaki grills, sewing rooms and more, according to NARI.
The spaces are limited only by imagination.
However, Herriges cautions homeowners to make the customizations an accurate reflection of their lifestyle, not just a whimsical remodeling fling triggered by boredom or frustration.
"Make sure that whatever your adding is going to be something that you really intend to use, otherwise the space will end up being underutilized and make you unhappy," Herriges says.
And if you are already living in you home longer than planned, you don't need any help with being unhappy.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Happy Memorial Day!
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
-Lee Greenwood
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
-Lee Greenwood
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Why Spring Listings Blossom
Provided By Realty Times
Nature is in full bloom across the nation. Many of today’s homeowners are unaware that Spring can be the ultimate time to list a home for sale. From beautiful lawns to temperate weather it’s prime time to lure in buyers.
Spring offers up a wide array of natural beauty. Green lawns, budding roses, and fragrant blossoms treat the eye and nose at every turn. This particular Spring, however, has a leg up on previous years.
Interest rates are still near historic lows, hovering well below 4.0 percent for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. This translates to favorable terms for eager buyers.
Jobs have begun to return in sectors all across the economy, which equals into a larger pool of eligible and willing buyers. Finally, as home prices have stabilized more homes are now within reach of more buyers. Affordability rates are at generational highs.
Are you a seller who will be looking to buy? Today’s market conditions make for a great time to buy and move up (if you have equity built in your home). Let Springtime showcase your home in the most natural light and “spring” a buyer into action.
Need a reason for selling this season? Consider nature’s paintbrush. Curb appeal is your home’s first impression. Many designers create this by painting the front door or a home or adding a punch of color with , but Spring means that your punches of color need not end at the front step.
Add flower beds around your mailbox, trees, and some to line your walkways. Prune back trees and shrubs to give a neat and orderly appearance.
Finally, take a good, hard look at the exterior of your home. Spring is a good time to break out the paint and give your home a few touch ups. Clean out gutters and clean up any trash.
Next, consider the beautiful weather. Who wants to look at houses during ice and snow? Okay, so there are plenty of buyers who brave those elements, but having an open house or showing during beautiful Spring weather is always a plus. Instead of too hot or too cold your guests will be just right.
Finally, most families prefer to pack up kids when school is taking a break. That means they want to move during the Summer months. What does this mean for sellers? It means families are looking to buy in the Spring. This gives them plenty of time to look at homes and then go to closing, which can take from a few weeks to over a month.
Springtime is full of new growth opportunities. So, stop and smell the roses ... and list that home for sale!
Nature is in full bloom across the nation. Many of today’s homeowners are unaware that Spring can be the ultimate time to list a home for sale. From beautiful lawns to temperate weather it’s prime time to lure in buyers.
Spring offers up a wide array of natural beauty. Green lawns, budding roses, and fragrant blossoms treat the eye and nose at every turn. This particular Spring, however, has a leg up on previous years.
Interest rates are still near historic lows, hovering well below 4.0 percent for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. This translates to favorable terms for eager buyers.
Jobs have begun to return in sectors all across the economy, which equals into a larger pool of eligible and willing buyers. Finally, as home prices have stabilized more homes are now within reach of more buyers. Affordability rates are at generational highs.
Are you a seller who will be looking to buy? Today’s market conditions make for a great time to buy and move up (if you have equity built in your home). Let Springtime showcase your home in the most natural light and “spring” a buyer into action.
Need a reason for selling this season? Consider nature’s paintbrush. Curb appeal is your home’s first impression. Many designers create this by painting the front door or a home or adding a punch of color with , but Spring means that your punches of color need not end at the front step.
Add flower beds around your mailbox, trees, and some to line your walkways. Prune back trees and shrubs to give a neat and orderly appearance.
Finally, take a good, hard look at the exterior of your home. Spring is a good time to break out the paint and give your home a few touch ups. Clean out gutters and clean up any trash.
Next, consider the beautiful weather. Who wants to look at houses during ice and snow? Okay, so there are plenty of buyers who brave those elements, but having an open house or showing during beautiful Spring weather is always a plus. Instead of too hot or too cold your guests will be just right.
Finally, most families prefer to pack up kids when school is taking a break. That means they want to move during the Summer months. What does this mean for sellers? It means families are looking to buy in the Spring. This gives them plenty of time to look at homes and then go to closing, which can take from a few weeks to over a month.
Springtime is full of new growth opportunities. So, stop and smell the roses ... and list that home for sale!
Monday, May 21, 2012
A Buyer's Wish List
Provided By Realty Times
It's always good to have a map when you're traveling unfamiliar roads. It's easy to get lost or to make a wrong turn. Having a good map is doubly important when you are traversing the roads of real estate.
Having a real estate wish list ready before you venture into the market will help you avoid impulsive decisions, delayed decision making, and spending too much time looking at homes you'd never consider.
Everyone wants something a little different when it comes to their dream home. Some people must have beautiful hardwoods while others prefer carpet. Some buyers want a home in a great school district while older couples may prefer to be near their favorite restaurants or theaters.
Having a wish list is a great way to give your real estate agent a good idea of what you want. This will mean they can show you only the best homes for your needs.
What sort of items should you add to your wish list? Consider the following items:
Home Type: Are you a condo, townhome, or single-family detached kind of buyer? There are great resources all over the web that can show you the pros and cons of each of these living situations. What's right for one buyer may not be right for another. Condos are great for those looking for low maintenance homes. A townhome can give you lots of space, but you better like stairs! Single-family homes comes in all shapes and sizes. What one are you looking for?
School preferences: Do you have children or plan on having them in the near future? Many cities have excellent schools, while some districts have some schools that stand a home
Neighborhoods: Whether you want a quiet suburban neighborhood or a bustling walkable downtown spot, there's something for everyone. Some people want to have a prestigious zipcode or a home in a gated community with a strict HOA. Do you want to stay in your current neighborhood or near family?
Home Condition: Some buyers want a home that is move-in ready. They don't want to mess with messy repairs. Does this sound like you? Are you instead a buyer looking for a deal on a fabulous home that just needs a little work? A fixer-up might be more your speed.
Architectural Style: Do you love the sprawling one floor plan of a Ranch style home? Does a charming French Country style home tickle your fancy? An easy way to learn more about home styles is to look at home plans online.
Home Features: This is where you can really have some fun! Consider the following and what features are most important to you: garage, great room, formal dining room, mudroom, butler's pantry, home office/study, built-ins, master suite, first-floor master, floor-to-floor carpet, outdoor living space, stainless steel appliances, granite, and other finishes.Once you've written out your wish list, give some real thought to what items you're willing to compromise on. You may prefer to have a corner lot, but if an otherwise perfect home comes along without the corner view would you be willing to put in an offer?
You may want a move-in ready home, but if you see a great home with a stellar price that needs an updated kitchen would you make a move?
It's always good to have a map when you're traveling unfamiliar roads. It's easy to get lost or to make a wrong turn. Having a good map is doubly important when you are traversing the roads of real estate.
Having a real estate wish list ready before you venture into the market will help you avoid impulsive decisions, delayed decision making, and spending too much time looking at homes you'd never consider.
Everyone wants something a little different when it comes to their dream home. Some people must have beautiful hardwoods while others prefer carpet. Some buyers want a home in a great school district while older couples may prefer to be near their favorite restaurants or theaters.
Having a wish list is a great way to give your real estate agent a good idea of what you want. This will mean they can show you only the best homes for your needs.
What sort of items should you add to your wish list? Consider the following items:
You may want a move-in ready home, but if you see a great home with a stellar price that needs an updated kitchen would you make a move?
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