Gene's Bit of Blogging
Home Improvements and Curb Appeal
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Guest Blogger - LaNita Cates, Re/Max Realty of Joliet, IL: Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 10:52 AM
Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are
Interested In a Home
I am a huge fan of Real Estate Agent and Mogul Barbara Corcoran. Barbara is a Real Estate Contributor on NBC's Today show and the wonderful addition to ABC's Shark Tank.
 Per Barbara:
"BUYERS DECIDE WITHIN 8 SECONDS WHETHER THEY ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR HOME."
I'm not surprised by this at all. It's the first impression when
walking in and hearing, "Wow, this is cute" - or - "Ugh, what is that smell?" Pretty much sums of the next few minutes of the tour of that home.
I always tell my buyers that they will know when they walk in if this
is their home or not. If they aren't feeling it within the first 10
seconds, let's move on. They never believe me... AT FIRST. But usually
by the 4th house, they agree that they know pretty much immediately if
they are interested or not when walking in the door.
So buyers pretty much know. Sellers - remember that! That first
impression (or at least the first 8 seconds) can decide whether the
buyer is interested in your home!
* LaNita
Cates of REMAX Realty of Joliet has been serving the Joliet,
Plainfield, Naperville, Crest Hill, Bolingbrook, Shorewood and
surrounding areas, helping buyers and sellers with all their real estate
needs.
Call or Contact: LaNita Cates REMAX Realty of Joliet today ...
Office: 221 Springfield Ave., Joliet, IL 60435 Office Phone: 815-609-0887
Office Fax: 815-364-1267 Cell: 630-341-1545 |
Buying a Home, Real Estate, Real Estate Advice, Will County, Agents and Brokers, Home Improvements and Curb Appeal, Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Home, Selling Your Home, Staging your Home, Remodeling, Real Estate Professionals, Home Maintenance & Repair, Home Buyers, home buying, Deciding Which Home is Best to Buy, Home Staging, Realtors, Preparing your home for sale
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Linda Kemp, Keller Williams Infinity - Naperville, IL: Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:51 PM
Kitchens--The Heart of the Home! Part Two
Welcome to part two in my kitchen series. The kitchen is one of
my favorite rooms in my home. I cook great meals there, we laugh
through our family dinners, and we indulge the many desserts that come
out of my oven. One thing is certain--it has to feel good.
If you have
been struggling with different ideas on how to remodel your space with a
shoestring budget take a read through the following article. Do your
homework on all building materials and your options and you will be
quite pleased with the results. And then mangia!
Linda
Budget Kitchen Remodeling: 5 Money-Saving Steps
Can't afford an entire kitchen remodel in one fell swoop? You can
complete the work in 5 budget-saving stages (and still cook dinner
during the down time).
Stage one: Start with a complete design plan
Your plan should be comprehensive and detailed — everything from the
location of the refrigerator to which direction the cabinet doors will
open to whether you need a spice drawer. To save time (and money) during tear-out and construction, plan on
using your existing walls and kitchen configuration. That’ll keep
plumbing and electrical systems mostly intact, and you won’t have the
added expense — and mess — of tearing out walls. Joseph Feinberg, vice president of Allied Kitchen and Bath in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., recommends hiring a professional designer, such as an
architect or a certified kitchen designer, who can make sure the details
of your plans are complete. You’ll pay about 10% of the total project
for a pro designer, but you’ll save a whole bunch of headaches that
would likely cost as much — or more — to fix. Plus, a pro is likely to
offer smart solutions you hadn’t thought of. For a nominal fee, you also can get design help from a major home
improvement store. However, you’ll be expected to purchase some of your
cabinets and appliances from that store.
- Cost: professional designer: $5,800 (10% of total)
- Key strategies: Once your plans are set, you can hold onto them until you’re ready to remodel.
Stage two: Order the cabinets, appliances,
and lighting fixtures
Cabinets and appliances are the biggest investments in your kitchen
remodeling project. If you're remodeling in stages, you can order them
any time after the plans are complete and store them in a garage (away
from moisture) or in a spare room until you're ready to pull the trigger
on the installation. Remember that it may take 4-6 weeks from the day you order them for your cabinets to be delivered.
If you can't afford all new appliances, keep your old ones for now --
but plan to buy either the same sizes, or choose larger sizes and
design your cabinets around those larger measurements. You can replace
appliances as budget permits later on. The same goes for your lighting fixtures: If you can live with your old ones for now, you’ll save money by reusing them. You’ll have to decide about flooring, too — one of the trickier
decisions to make because it also affects how and when you install
cabinets. You’ll need to know if your old flooring runs underneath your
cabinets, or if the flooring butts up against the cabinet sides and toe
kicks. If the flooring runs underneath, you’ll have some leeway for new
cabinet configurations — just be sure the old flooring will cover any
newly exposed floor areas. Here are points to remember: Keep old flooring for cost savings. This works if your new cabinets
match your old layout, so that the new cabinets fit exactly into the old
flooring configuration. If the existing flooring runs underneath your
cabinets and covers all flooring area, then any new cabinet
configuration will be fine. Keep your old flooring for now and cover it or replace it later.
Again, this works if your cabinet configuration is identical to the old
layout. However, if you plan to cover your old flooring or tear it out and
replace it at some point in the future, remember that your new flooring
might raise the height of your floor, effectively lowering your cabinet
height. For thin new floor coverings, such as vinyl and linoleum, the change
is imperceptible. For thicker floorings, such as wood and tile, you
might want to take into account the change in floor height by installing
your new cabinets on shims.
- Cost: cabinets: $16,000 (27% of total); appliances and lighting
fixtures: $8,500 (15% of total); vinyl flooring: $1,000 (2% of total)
- Key strategy: Keep old appliances, lighting fixtures, and flooring and use them until you can afford new ones.
Stage three: Gut the kitchen and do the electrical
and plumbing work
Here's where the remodel gets messy. Old cabinetry and appliances are
removed, and walls may have to be opened up for new electrical
circuits. Keep in close contact with your contractor during this stage
so you can answer questions and clear up any problems quickly. A major
kitchen remodel can take 6 to 10 weeks, depending on how extensive the
project is. During this stage, haul your refrigerator, microwave, and toaster
oven to another room — near the laundry or the garage, for example — so
you've got the means to cook meals. Feinberg suggests tackling this
stage in the summer, when you can easily grill and eat outside. That’ll
reduce the temptation to eat at restaurants, and will help keep your
day-to-day costs under control.
- Cost: $14,500 for tear-out and installation of new plumbing and electrical (25% of total)
- Key strategies: Encourage your contractor to expedite the tear-out
and installation of new systems. Plan a makeshift kitchen while the work
is progressing. Schedule this work for summer when you can grill and
eat outside.
Stage four: Install cabinets, countertop, appliances, flooring, and fixtures
If
you’ve done your homework and bought key components in advance, you
should roll through this phase. You've now got a (mostly) finished
kitchen.
A high-end countertop and backsplash can be a sizable sum of money.
If you can't quite swing it, put down a temporary top, such as painted
marine plywood or inexpensive laminate. Later, you can upgrade to
granite, tile, solid surface, or marble.
- Cost: $12,000 (21% of total)
- Key strategy: Install an inexpensive countertop; upgrade when you’re able.
Stage five—Final phases: Upgrade if necessary
Replace the inexpensive countertop, pull up the laminate flooring,
and put in tile or hardwood, or buy that new refrigerator you wanted but
couldn't afford during the remodel. (Just make sure it fits in the
space!).
By: Gretchen Roberts Published: January 19, 2012 Reprinted from House Logic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
Are you looking to get your home on the market in time for the Spring
market? This is it! Don't know where to begin? Let me help you
navigate through the process of getting your home ready for sale. Not
interested in selling but just need some design help? No problem!
Call Linda Kemp at 630.688.5121 for help and advice. It's always my pleasure to assist you!
Buyers you can search for properties from the comfort of your living room right here! You will find the most up-to date listings direct from our multiple listing service. Have fun and happy house hunting!
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Margaret Goss, Baird & Warner Winnetka, IL - Guest Blogger: Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 11:57 AM
The Rat That Stole the Show
Home Sellers - this is a cautionary tale told at time when
buyers are skittish and homes for Squirrelsale are aplenty. If your home does not meet their standard
they will bolt and head to the next home or the next one after that. Your domino tiles have to be lined up
perfectly.
This week a colleague had an inspection of a home in the
North Shore - she was representing the buyers.
Their biggest worry was that the house had a dryvit exterior (also known
as a synthetic stucco) and that was what they wanted their inspector to focus
on. He never got that far.
 He headed to the attic first and came back down with some
stunning news. The attic was infested
with creatures - maybe they were rats, squirrels, possums, raccoons, who
knows? It didn't matter - the insulation
was shot - completely burrowed through with animal feces and fur, and animals
quickly scurrying away. Suddenly, the buyers didn't care about the dryvit -
they canceled the inspection and they canceled the contract. They have already moved on to several other
homes they like. End of story.
Ruined attic insulation. But is it? Does it have to end this way?
Are you thinking about selling your home? Is your home currently for sale? You will have the best shot at selling it if
it priced right - that is the NUMBER 1 consideration you have. This is not the time to test the market or
not be fully motivated in your desire to sell.
 But at the same time, even a very compelling price can't
undo the negative perception that an attic full of woodland animals will
create. Years ago, a buyer would have
asked the seller to remove the animals, clean the space, and replace the
insulation. The sale would have probably
been consummated. Not so today. The tipping point is much lower than it used
to be and the only way to prevent a lost sale is make sure your house has no
surprises.
Consider getting your house pre-inspected by a certified
Illinois inspector. The cost of the
inspection varies depending on the size of your house and the inspector you
use, but generally they range from $400 to $800. It is money well spent compared to the cost
of not being able to sell your house. If
you find a problem you can mitigate it for much less than a buyer would
demand.
Yes, the buyers will still conduct their own inspection -
but you can rest easy that the rats won't steal your show.
If you are thinking about selling your Winnetka or North
Shore home, please call me. I'd be happy to discuss and recommend good
certified inspectors.
I sell homes in the following areas:
Margaret Goss GRI, CRS Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL 847-977-6024 |
Buying a Home, Real Estate, Real Estate Advice, Chicagoland, Localism Posts, Home Services, Home Improvements and Curb Appeal, Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Home, Selling Your Home, First-Time HomeBuyers, Education, Working with a Real Estate Professional, Real Estate Professionals, Helpful Hints, Home Maintenance & Repair, home buying, Home Ownership, Deciding Which Home is Best to Buy, Home Inspections, Winnetka and North Shore
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Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 3:51 PM
 Perhaps a new home or expensive remodeling is out of the question for you right now financially, but with some elbow grease, small monetary expenditure, and effort ... you can still achieve big things and add value to your home by following these bits of advice. The continued popularity of Maureen's post proves to me that there is definitely an eager audience hoping to learn about this topic. So below, I've added some tips I've gathered from some top remodeling experts regarding the prepping, painting, and/or re-staining of your home's present kitchen cabinetry. Most families will say that their kitchen often serves as the "hub" of their home. Function, lay-out, quality of materials, appearance, trends, colors, and how to achieve the latest "hot" look ... everything about the kitchen is important, so it's also where sizeable expenditures are often made in remodeling and updating. Painting or re-staining kitchen cabinets is an inexpensive way for homeowners to improve, refresh, and update the appearance, appeal, and value of their home without breaking the bank financially. But this cabinet work must be performed correctly, or the appearance and desired upgrade in "value" will not be realized. Surface preparation is key when painting or re-staining cabinetry. Stripping cabinets to bare wood eliminates issues with adhesion of the new paint or stain, but depending on the construction of yours cabinets, good results may also be achieved by thoroughly cleaning, and then lightly sanding the old cabinets as well. Most household cleaners will take care of the ordinary dirt and grease build-up on kitchen cabinets. But if you smoke or cook alot, especially with cooking oils or grease, something stronger will be needed. Consider using a cleaner with trisodium phosphate (TSP) which can be found at most hardware or paint stores, in these instances. To help you better understand the preparation and steps needing to be taken for painting or re-staining your cabinets, watch the video below ... Remember, the finishing touches made to your cabinets are very important. They can mean the difference between only a "so-so" appearance and having that "wow" factor you desire. Consider making an investment in new hardware for your newly painted and upgraded cabinetry. Everything will look new and fresh that way ... and also be sure to be in working order. There's a huge range of hardware styles to consider. A suggestion is to coordinate your new hardware with the kitchen sink faucet. This small attention to detail pulls the whole kitchen together and unifies the overall design. Hardware for your newly-painted or stained cabinets can be trendy or personalized to the homeowners tastes, but if thinking of selling soon ... keep their installation to a minimum as an "accent". New owners will consider making the investment in a small change for a few hardware pieces or knobs, but possibly balk at a larger expenditure of money and time to install something new of their own taste. Painting or re-staining your kitchen cabinets can be achieved for as little as "hundreds" of dollars versus the thousands of a complete replacement or re-facing. Take the time to prepare and then apply the new paint or stain. Make the expenditure for excellent quality brushes, wood fillers, caulk, hardware, paint or stain. If the correct tools of the trade are used and the time is taken to do the job well, the end result can be spectacular. It can transform your home. * If seeking mortgage advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. I also can provide referrals for other trusted, experienced real estate professionals in our area. Contact me in any of the following ways: Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Skype: 630.219.1316 |
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Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President - Chicago Bancorp: Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 3:00 PM
 Last week saw the partial destruction of a Naperville, IL home due to fire that lit an accumulation of dryer lint beneath the clothes dryer in the home. Thankfully, the fire was doused in a speedy manner and no loss of life was suffered. Only about $5,000 in damage was done to the property, most of which was to the basement where the dryer was found. These homeowners were lucky. The appearance of this article brought home safety and fire protection to my mind ... so here's a bit of information for you to know regarding the specific issues of clothes dryers and dryer lint/lint trap cleaning and safety. - Clothes dryer fire accounts for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually
- 80% of clothes dryer fires in structures occur in residential buildings
- Annually, 12,700 clothes dryer fires occur in residential building resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries
- "Failure to Clean" is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings
- New home construction trends place clothes dryers and washing machines in more hazardous locations away from outside walls such as bedrooms, 2nd-floor hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens
Suggestions to prevent clothes dryer fires are below: - Never put synthetic materials such as rubber, plastic, foam, or pieces of cloth that have been used to sponge up flammable liquids in the dryer, even if they have previously been washed
- Clean the lint out of the exhaust pipe and the rear of the clothes dryer regularly
- Inspect your lint filter for rips each time you use it. If you see rips .. replace it immediately
- The exhaust pipe should be as short as possible and have limited bends to allow for adequate airflow
- The American Household Appliance Manufacturers Assoc. (AHAM) recommends the use of UL-listed rigid aluminum or steel duct or spiral-wound aluminum flex hose. Not White Vinyl Hose
- Never let your clothes dryer run while you are out of the house or asleep
- Have gas-powered dryers inspected by a professional annualaly to ensure that the gas line and connection at intact
I had read that repairmen recommended cleaning the lint trap itself with a little soap and water fairly often to increase the drying/heating efficiency of the clothes dryer ... but also to lengthen the life-expectancy of the appliance itself. Was that true? Was that advice sound? I decided to check with Snopes.com... Yes! Snopes.com found in 2005 that this was indeed true. A little bit of extra care and cleaning could extend the life of your clothes dryer! What Snopes.com stated was ... "Just removing the lint from the filter isn't always enough -- the fine mesh of most dryer filters can be clogged in ways that aren't obvious at a casual glance. As suggested, (by repairmen), softener sheets can cause waxy build-ups on lint screens that require a little extra effort -- usually no more than a quick scrub and rinse in warm, soapy water -- to remove". Take these precautionsin your own home. Do not suffer the fate of the Naperville homeowners mentioned above. Clean your clothes dryer, lint trap, and the areas beneath and around your clothes dryer often to remain safe and alive ... * Should you wish referrals for home services, or be in need of mortgage, credit, or financial planning advice and service ... please do not hesitate to contact me immediately. I will be happy to hear from you and then work together towards improving and securing your financial and mortgage health. |
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