Buying

Gardening in Small Spaces

May 10, 2022 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

Gardening in Small Spaces

The only thing better than summer vegetables is knowing that you've grown them yourself. You don't have to miss out just because you have a small space. There are plenty of plants you can grow on your windowsill or on your patio. If you follow these tips, you'll have enough success to share with friends.

Grow up, not out - Potted plants can take up a lot of space, and that's not ideal when you're working in a small area. Thankfully, clever gardeners around the world have come up with a practical solution - vertical gardening. Utilize the wall rather than the ground space, and you'll double or triple your garden's space.

Choose smaller varieties of plants - You know that corn stalks wouldn't grow in a tiny vase, and you should apply this line of thinking to choosing the varieties of foods that you grow in containers. From peas to peppers and tomatoes to cucumbers, some dwarf and bush varieties were created especially to grow in small spaces.

Think outside of the container - Having a productive patio garden doesn't have to be expensive. With any quick look around your home, you should be able to find a suitable container without spending a penny. Things like old buckets and laundry baskets are perfect for plants such as potatoes and strawberries.

Use the right soil - Since your container plants won't be able to source nutrients from the ground, choosing the right soil is vital to your garden's success. Experts recommend a mix of quality potting soil and peat, but creating your own compost is even more fun.

Too much sun can be detrimental - Even if you are growing sun-loving plants like tomatoes, container plants come with a different set of rules. Because of the reduced surface area, the roots of a container plant can overheat easily. Given that certain containers absorb more heat than others, it's a good idea to make sure your plants are getting just the right amount of light. Too much light can be harmful.

Monitor water levels carefully - Just as easily as your plants can dry out from too much heat, they can also suffer from too much moisture. Overwatering your plants - or planting them in containers with poor drainage - can cause the root system to rot. Keep a careful eye on your plant's specific needs, and make sure they have adequate drainage holes.

Fertilize according to plant needs - As a general rule of thumb, container gardens should be fertilized once every couple of weeks. However, certain plants require more frequent feeding while they are in the fruiting stage. Do a little research about your plants and tailor their fertilization schedule as they need it.

Just because you have a small space doesn't mean that you can't have a decent-sized harvest. With a little thought, a little inventiveness, and a little dedication, you'll be making summer dishes with your own homegrown food.

How to Compare Homes in Different Metro Areas

April 11, 2022 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

The cost of buying a new house is more than just the listing price. In fact, it is unlikely you will know the true cost of buying a home until you've lived in it for a certain period of time. This is one factor that makes it difficult to compare houses that are located in different metro areas. If you focus on the list price only, you may fail to notice the other cost implications of choosing a particular house. How can you compare houses located in different metro areas to get a better idea of how much value you are actually getting for your money?

What Is the Rest of the Neighborhood Like?

One of the most accurate measures of the real value of a house is the neighborhood in which it is located. You may find two similarly priced houses in different neighborhoods, but are these houses the norm or the exception? If you spend a fortune on a home in the wrong neighborhood, you may not be able to sell it for a profit later on. This is why you should consider the cost of similar properties in the same neighborhood or whether it is the only property of its kind in the area.

Will Life in a Particular Metro Area Come with Greater Expenses?

In the beginning, buying property in a low-cost metro area may seem like a good way to pay less and still get a good home. However, if the neighborhood has security issues, for example, living there can be more expensive. Your home and car insurance rates will likely be higher due to the increased likelihood of theft or vandalism. You may also have other additional costs such as higher transportation, private school, taxes, or food costs. In the long run, the money you save by choosing a particular neighborhood could end up being money spent on unforeseen living expenses. That's why it is important to evaluate the differing costs in each metro area.

Commuting Distance

Another important factor is your commuting situation. Will you be driving a longer distance to work or perhaps using public transportation? Commuting can cost you a lot of money in fuel expenses, car insurance costs, and transportation fares. A long commute can also have a negative impact on your career and home life. A great house with a longer commute may end up being a bad deal.

Access to Amenities

When you need to go shopping or walk your dog, having certain amenities close-by will be very convenient. Many homeowners pay extra for this access. If you need easy access to a school, a park, or any other amenity, you should consider which of the two properties offers what you want when you're looking at homes for sale.

As you can see, comparing homes in two places is not as simple as just comparing the sticker value. It's wise to consult a real estate agent in each area who can help you get acquainted with the pros and cons of each property you are considering. This will help you make a well-rounded and thoughtful decision.

Top 9 Tips for Hosting Your Next Holiday Party

November 15, 2021 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

The holiday season is coming up, and with that time comes plenty of opportunities for you to get together with friends and family to enjoy each other. If it's your turn to host one of the holiday get-togethers, you might begin to feel nervous as the season draws closer. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make the party you throw go more smoothly, be less stressful for you, and be even more fun for your guests. These are nine of the best tips around.

Have Plenty of Seating and Standing Space

If you're hosting a party in a house that's smaller than what you think you'll need for the number of people you're having over, you need to get a little creative with your space. Getting rid of furniture that's bulky but provides only small amounts of seating might be the best way to go. For instance, you could move the big sectional in your living room to the garage for the time being. Instead, use smaller chairs with cushioned seats to keep things comfortable for guests. You should also plan out the traffic flow if you think that you're going to have more people than your floor space could normally handle. Finally, think about a space for the kids, who usually want to play when they have the opportunity to be around their cousins or your friends' children.

Prep Ahead As Much As Possible

Whenever you're looking for a way to be prepared, you should look into finding a way to prepare food ahead of time. While there are some things, such as the ham and many of the other hot food items, that taste best when fresh, you can still prepare many of the salads, desserts, and appetizers at least a couple of days before you have your party. If you're making pickle, ham, and cream cheese rollups, it's super simple to make these several days before you have your entire group of friends and family at your house.

Suggest a Party Theme

Yes, we know that you might just go with Christmas or Thanksgiving as your theme, but it can also be fun to have a special theme so that everyone has an opportunity to show off their creativity and maybe even have a contest with it. For instance, ugly Christmas sweaters is a popular one. But you might have your guests do a whole slew of other activities, including coming up with their favorite holiday movie.

Keep Plenty of Drinks Around

There are only a few things that crash a party worse than running out of drinks. While you might not want to keep so many drinks around that you have guests drinking in huge excess, you also don't want to run out of festive and tasty treats. At the same time, you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen making drinks all night. So what are you supposed to do? There are a few tricks that you can incorporate to make sure that you have plenty on hand throughout the party. The first tip is to have plenty of pre-made options available.

Make a List

It's incredibly important to know that you have everything covered, and you'll feel more prepared if you have a list of everything you need to do, all the things you intend to buy, and all of the people you want to invite. This list is the perfect way to ensure you have everything set so you can be comfortable about having everything ready when your guests do finally arrive.

Have a Budget

While we all want to have a good time around the holiday season, money is one of the biggest things that people stress over during the holiday season. We're all spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on things related to the holidays, including gifts for other people and food. Set a budget so that you have one less reason to be stressed out. Then you need to hold yourself accountable to it.

Let Others Help

When you send out the invitations, don't be surprised if people start calling, asking if you want them to bring a side dish or their best cutout cookies, and you should let them help. It lets your guests feel a sense of pride when they see other people enjoying their contribution, and these seemingly small contributions can cut several hours off your prep time.

Have Trash Cans Within Easy Reach

The worst part about a party is the clean-up time. Save yourself at least some of the hassle by putting trash cans in strategic places around the rooms where you'll be having the party. If you have a trash can in plain sight, people are much more likely to decide to throw that paper plate away than if they must weave through lots of people to reach the trash can in the kitchen. Having plenty of places to through garbage away also frees your guests up to socialize with each other rather than search out a place to put their used Solo cups. Plus, you could cut out an hour or more of cleanup time when the guests leave.

Use an Itinerary

When you host a holiday party, you’ll probably have a few activities planned. There's nothing worse than realizing you're way behind schedule and people are starting to leave before you've been able to get to some of the best stuff. If you're having a party and will be doing a white elephant gift exchange or some other well-loved game after dinner, make sure that you have allowed for plenty of time.

Hosting a holiday party is a lot of work, but you can make it more enjoyable for your guests and yourself if you have an idea of what you want to accomplish and some ways that you can make it easier on yourself. Use these ideas to make your holiday party more comfortable and fun for your guests and yourself. Happy holidays indeed!

The Perfect Date (and Time) – Tips for Viewing Homes

October 16, 2021 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

Buying a home involves a lot of decisions, such as making sure it is the right one before you sign on the dotted line. If you only view the property once, you might miss something that’s important. Many real estate agents suggest viewing a home at least twice before making an offer.

During the first visit, you may not see any of the negative aspects of the property, especially if they aren’t readily apparent. You are also likely to overlook less-than-perfect circumstances if the previous home you viewed has a lot of areas needing repairs or upgrades. When you arrange for a second visit, you have the opportunity to check out some of the finer details. For example, you may want to check:

If your washer and dryer will fit
If the rooms are spacious enough for your furniture
If there are enough closets
If the garage is large enough for your existing vehicles

Not only should you make the effort to visit the house twice, but you should check out the surrounding neighborhood several times before you make a formal offer. Doing so gives you a chance to discover the positive and negative aspects of the property before you finalize the deal.

Visit During Different Times of the Day

No matter where the property is located, it is a good idea to view the home at different times of the day. Doing so allows you to see each of the following aspects of living there:

How noisy is the area in the morning, afternoon, and night? If you visit during the middle of the day, children may be at school and parents might be working outside of the home. You won’t be able to gauge how quiet the area is. Additionally, if the neighborhood is noisy, you may be faced with a daily challenge. If you work from home, you may need several hours of solitude. On the other hand, you might just appreciate the presence of small children in the neighborhood, particularly if you have a few of your own.
How much sun and shade does the property experience at different hours of the day? Where the sun shines may affect your landscaping plans, making it impossible to have a vegetable garden or plant the flowers you like best. Not enough or too much sun can also impact your heating and cooling expenses.
How well lit is your street? Is the home shrouded in darkness, creating a dangerous situation? While a darkened facade might be a reason for concern, it isn’t enough of a reason to knock this home off your list. After all, outside lighting can easily solve the problem.
How heavy is traffic throughout the day? Does rush hour make traveling to and from work less than ideal? Your street may not be filled with cars during rush hour. However, the local highways near you might just be congested. It’s a good idea to find this out before you relocate.

Visit during Good and Bad Weather

Most likely, you won’t be able to view the home during different seasons of the year. However, getting a look at the property during good and bad weather is a good investment of your time. You shouldn’t expect any surprises on pleasant days, but you might discover a few during stormy weather. For example, surface drainage can be an issue that leads to unpleasant circumstances.

It’s always a good idea to see how attractive the property looks on a rainy, gloomy day. While this aspect might not impact your decision, at least you won’t have any unpleasant surprises if you do make the purchase.

Visit During The Weekday and the Weekend

Neighborhood activity typically increases on the weekend when many families are off from school and work. If you value peace and quiet, you may want to include weekend activity in your decision-making process.

On the other hand, you might be looking to meet the neighbors and make a friend or two. If you have children, you might want to consider visiting the neighborhood during bus pickup or drop-off. Doing so gives you a good idea as to the number of playmates your children can have.

Keep in mind that it is easier to let a home go before you make an offer. Many home buyers view the home for the second time after making a bid on it. As a result, they may be more willing to overlook dirty carpeting and scuff marks on the wall simply because these issues have easy fixes. Why settle for a home that you know needs fixing up if your dream home is still out there somewhere? View homes that you are interested in buying more than once so you can make the best decision possible for your needs.

Thinking about Buying a Vacation Home?

July 15, 2021 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

If you are dreaming about owning a vacation home, you are not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge percentage of the population working remotely, and for many, that will likely not change anytime soon. That fact, combined with low interest rates, has people yearning for a second home in a lovely place where they can escape from time to time. The vacation/second home market is hot, but inventory is currently low. Now is a great time to start saving, research your desired area, and run property searches frequently to see what’s available. As with any home purchase, an experienced real estate agent will be an invaluable asset for your search.

How well do you know the area?

Whether you are looking for a small urban apartment in an exciting city or a luxury beachfront home, make sure you are familiar with the area. Have you visited the location many times during different seasons of the year? Check out the nearby amenities, such as good restaurants, sports venues, or local attractions. You’ll also want to learn about potential problems. What is the chance of destructive weather? What are condo rules regarding pets or guests? How much will you pay for condo fees or homeowners association dues? Are the tourist crowds in your new community more than you can handle? It’s risky to make a decision based on only one short visit to the area. Immerse yourself in order to make knowledgeable decisions.

A second home is expensive.

If you haven’t accumulated the finances for the purchase, start saving now. Consider an automatic withdrawal from each paycheck. If the money never appears in your checking account, you’ll miss it less. The down payment for the mortgage will range between 20 and 30 percent. If possible, consider making a cash offer on the property. In the currently booming market, many buyers are buying with cash, giving them a definite advantage against other offers.

Also, are you financially prepared for regular upkeep and surprise expenses? As with any home, there are regular expenses such as taxes, insurance, utilities, and upkeep. Plenty of unexpected situations will undoubtedly come along, too. You will either need to sharpen your handyman skills or be prepared to pay someone to do repairs for you.

How do you plan to use your new getaway?

As a primary residence, you will spend most of your time there. The down payment could be much lower and your tax benefits will be higher.
As a second home, it will be available whenever you want it, but lenders won’t allow you to rent it out when you aren’t there. Mortgage rates and tax benefits will be the same as your primary residence.
As an investment property, you can use it when you wish and rent it out the rest of the time. Lenders will expect about 30 percent down and tax benefits are less.

It can be profitable to rent out your vacation home.

Be conservative if you plan to rent your home to others. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. However, there is a good chance that it would be an excellent moneymaker, which will help you defray all the costs associated with your investment. Be familiar with local laws and regulations pertaining to renting. Trust your real estate agent to help you with the details. Your vacation home must be nicely furnished throughout. Renters will not be pleased with mismatched dishes in the kitchen or sagging mattresses in the bedrooms. You will need to market your place, schedule your renters, and arrange for a cleaning service. A property management firm may be your best choice to handle those duties, especially if you live far away from your vacation spot.

Make a pros and cons list before you decide to buy.

A big help as you think through this purchase is to list everything you would love about having a vacation home as well as the disadvantages. Here are some examples.

The Plus List

You can decorate and furnish it as you wish.
You can keep your belongings there instead of having to take them back and forth for each visit.
It will be a great place for family and friends to gather.
Real estate values in popular areas are likely to appreciate.
It could eventually become a full-time home when you retire.

The Drawbacks List

As already discussed, it’s expensive to maintain a second home.
Because of your investment of labor and dollars, will you feel obligated to spend every vacation there?
You will need to schedule time for maintenance.
Financing a vacation home can be difficult.

Do the research and make a wise decision about purchasing a second home. If you decide the answer is yes, you may be providing yourself and your family with years of fun and precious memories in your favorite vacation spot.

Benefits of Building a New Home

June 15, 2021 by Paul Schrick (Post Export User)

There’s nothing like building your own home to realize your dreams of finding the perfect living space. It might take longer than buying a resale, but many people find it is worth the wait. Here are some discussion points to review with contractors in your area.

Avoid the bidding war

This is a wild time to be a home buyer. Across the country, resale houses are getting many, many offers with prices climbing far above appraised values. You can eliminate that stress by purchasing a new home. New construction houses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The price is set instead of multiple buyers bidding against you. There’s no appraisal gap, meaning you don’t have to come up with more money when your lender will only fund you for the appraised value of the home. You also don’t have to waive inspections or other contingencies to get into a new build like you might with a preowned home.

You can choose a home that fits your needs

New construction means you can personalize the house to suit your needs rather than remodeling an older home. Tall ceilings, big windows, and wide open floor plans make a house look bright and welcoming. Many developers have flexible floor plans that allow you to make changes such as enlarging closets, adding a home office, and redesigning the kitchen and bathrooms. You might want to include a private suite to make multi-generational living possible. Design your home the way you want it.

Create your own style as you decorate

You have a clean slate going into a brand new house. Older homes may have plenty of charm, but that might also include dark, worn cabinets, shag carpeting, and outdated floral wallpaper. You can start fresh to bring in the colors and finishes that suit you. Get the gourmet kitchen of your dreams, the perfect bedroom, and a luxurious spa bathroom. Choosing everything from door knobs to backsplash tiles not only makes the home personal, it can also be fun to do!

Choose a community with great amenities

New builds are frequently in new neighborhoods with excellent amenities. You could have a swimming pool, a clubhouse suitable for parties, tennis courts, playgrounds, walking trails, or water features like a fishing lake or fountains. If you have a growing family and choose an area with good schools, you will likely find many of your neighbors are in the same stage of life. There will be plenty of playmates for your kids and new friends for you. Likewise, if you are retirees looking for an active lifestyle, there are new neighborhoods that will give you exactly what you want.

Get energy efficiency and less maintenance

A new home nearly always requires less maintenance than a resale. You can choose building materials for your new house that can reduce future problems, long-term and short-term. You also can make the new house energy efficient from the beginning. Ask your developer for the energy rating of their homes. Choose energy efficient appliances, upgrade the insulation, and more. Plan on a greener, cleaner home with lower monthly utility bills.

You always benefit from an agent’s expertise

Many real estate agents have years of experience working with new construction homes. They can act as your advocate with the builder if something goes wrong, such as incorrect placement of a kitchen island or closet doors that aren’t the ones you originally chose. A new home purchase has many of the same requirements as an existing one. There will be the inspection, appraisal, walk-throughs, and a closing date. Your agent will help you negotiate each step, bringing value to the whole process.

There is a pride of ownership with a newly built home that is different from any other feeling. You created this special place where no one else has lived before you. It has all been customized especially for you. It just may be the choice you want to make.