What does “Curb Appeal” mean?

 

Curb appeal is a term for how attractive the frontage of a house is when it’s viewed by a passerby from the sidewalk. The passerby might be someone simply walking down the street or a person who is in the market for a new house, and that’s one thing that makes curb appeal important. Curb appeal alone can add value to a house.

Many homeowners improve their house’s curb appeal for reasons other than increasing its resale value. Some people simply want to engage in a home improvement project that makes their home more aesthetically pleasing. Others, frankly, want their house to stand out from the other houses in the neighborhood. Some homeowners add curb appeal because their homeowner’s association has informed them that their house and yard are not quite up to snuff.

 

Improving Curb Appeal

Improving a house’s curb appeal is only limited by the homeowner’s imagination and, of course, their budget. Following are some of the many things that improve curb appeal:

 

Plants and Flowers

Installing plants and flowers around the front of the house is an easy way to enhance curb appeal. Ideas can range from planting a garden in the front yard, planting colorful annuals in window boxes, adding plants with interesting colors and textures as foundation plants, or training vines up trellises. Other ideas are to purchase urns or other types of containers, fill them with plants, and put them on the ends of the front steps or place them on either side of the doors.

 

Keep it Clean and Tidy

Eliminate clutter and keep up with landscaping. Nobody likes to see junk in the yard or overgrown shrubbery. Clean the exterior regularly, including siding, gutters, driveways, and roofs. A pressure washing service can be extremely helpful for this and save you headaches and time.  Go to https://eliteexteriorsolutionsmn.com/ for more information.

 

Smarten Up the Front Door

Even from the sidewalk, the front door is what a passerby first notices about a house. Sometimes all it takes to improve its look is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Indeed, many home decorators urge that homeowners choose bright, bold, primary colors such as fire-engine red, cobalt blue, or sunny yellow. Other homeowners replace their old door or even simply replace the rusted and uninspiring hardware on an old one.

 

Add New Hardware Overall

The front door may not be the only element that could use new hardware. An interesting pendant lamp on the roof of the porch can replace a boring sphere made of glass or porcelain. House numbers that can barely be read from the street can be replaced with huge, unignorable numbers made of wrought iron or other metal. The homeowner also shouldn’t forget their mailbox. A standard mailbox is serviceable, but there are mailboxes that are not only serviceable but attractive. Many are even quirkily attractive, such as a mailbox made to look like an old, cast iron stove. Even planting flowers around a standard-issue mailbox does much to beautify it.

Top Choices for Roofing and Siding

Siding and roofing are, no doubt, the perfect way to add pomp and color to your abode. It is imperative to choose the most convenient option for you with many options in the roofing and sliding market. Not to underscore the importance of aesthetics, sliding material’s ability to resist water, versatility, and durability are key considerations to make.

Couple Looking At House

Most Popular types of Roofing and Siding

  1. Wood

Wood is mostly used in bungalows and cottages as an exterior finish. Wood siding is durable and has an aesthetic appeal if looked after in the right way. A key point to note for wood lovers is that it requires a lot of maintenance to last long. Wood maintenance practices may include staining, chalking, and painting to prevent the harsh effects of adverse weather conditions and insect attacks. Well-maintained wood can last for up to a century. The market price for wood siding or roofing varies from $5 to $10 per square foot.

  1. Stucco

Conventional stucco is a combination of cement, lime, sand, and water. In most stucco siding or roofs, a waterproof membrane and a galvanized metal sheet are layered over wooden walls before installing stucco. These measures are normally undertaken to create a good foundation for the stucco finish and protect the walls or roof ceiling.

Due to the rigid nature of stucco, cautious installation is required to prevent cracking. Properly installed stucco lasts for as long as the house exists.

  1. Vinyl

Vinyl is one of the most common sliding materials thanks to its low cost, easy maintenance, and flexibility. The plastic nature of vinyl turns off most architects and designers, its design and color variety makes it a go-to option for most people. Vinyl requires little installation equipment and is available in most stores. The vinyl option is best for those who want a cheap and do-it-yourself siding or roofing solution. Since self-installation can come with technical mistakes, it is prudent to follow the manufacturers’ guide word by word.

  1. Bricks

Brick roofing and siding have passed the test of time as convenient roofing and siding materials. It is mostly found in ancient cottages or colonial castles. The fired clay finish material comes in various dimensions and textures. Since bricks can absorb water, they require damp-proof paper between the house and the veneer. Properly installed brick roofing or siding can last a lifetime of the house. Bricks require high levels of labor, and thus their high cost.

Whatever material you choose, consider the long-term maintenance and cleaning.

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Home Staging Tips and Tricks

 

Deciding to put your home for sale comes with responsibilities. It is best to make the potential buyer see more than enough to purchase the house. To create the wow factor for the potential buyer, you will need to enhance its look by adding more creativity to improve its appeal, increase its market value, and make it sell faster.

 

While getting into the compound creates an impression through curb appeal, you also need to improve the home interior. In most cases, when you have to sell the house online, potential buyers would mostly focus on the interior. Below are tips and tricks to stage your home for the next dollar.

 

Carry Out Repairs

Covering up holes, scratches, and other old spaces in the house are the fastest way to improve the home appeal and create a quick sale. Check out every room that needs patches, repair, and do touch-ups. You may also consider painting the home, and it would be best if you focus on only the chipped up areas. You may also need to apply two paint coats to cover up the areas fully.

 

Clean Thoroughly

Nobody wants a dirty home, and cleaning it well is an essential element that improves the home appearance. Create time to clean every room, moving step by step as you clean up every corner of the house as you remove dirt. Focus mostly on the walls since they hide a lot of particles. Be sure that upholstery and carpets are clean and fresh.

 

Go to the bathroom and the restroom, cleaning up with scented products to leave fragrance smell.Ensure that the tile is sparkling! Beware of smelly rooms and pet odors as they leave back a lousy indicator to the buyer and may turn them off from buying the house. Go to asapcarpetcleaningbend.com if you want to learn more.

 

Clear off Clutter

A cluttered room makes the house smaller, even though it is significant. Clearing up the clutter would make the room appear larger, and that is what every buyer wants to see. It is the space that sells, and it is what will guide you in creating a plan and determining the house value. So, ensure you remove every non-essential item that consumes space in the house.

 

Get New Window Treatments

You will need to replace your window drapes with new ones. Go for luxury and high quality, modern and breezy selections like silk and velvet. There are various colors and styles, choose the one that complements the interior to give an architectural appeal.

 

Choose longer ones that go down to the flow and should also be stiff. When fixing them up on the windows, ensure you fit up neatly and adequately to suit the window’s size and make space appear taller and homey.

 

Add Mirrors

A home without a mirror has less to no sense of style. Apart from making the home stylish, mirrors make the space reflective and make a smaller room appear larger and brighter. You can choose customized marrows with good artwork and sizable for space.

 

Summary

You don’t need to break your bank when staging your home. You only need to be a little more creative 

and watchful of every place that needs a touch. Proper staging will make your home a desirable place by a potential buyer, and you will have fewer hustles of creating sale advertisements.

Home Mortgage Interest Rate Timing

Home Mortgage Interest Rate Timing

Less is more:

If you’re new to investing or real estate and don’t know the first thing about interest rates, here’s a good tip: the higher the interest rate, the more expensive it’s going to be. High interest rates mean you will have to pay back more on the money you borrow. Another good rule of thumb is that affordability increases if you use an adjustable rate mortgage (it’s easier to qualify this way). Of course, there will be a wide range of prices that you can choose from, depending on what kind of financing you choose. Home mortgage interest rate timing is not easy.

Not even the Fed knows for sure:

The Fed holds a considerable amount of power, but they can’t control everything. Home mortgage interest rates are affected by many unpredictable political, economic and social events. So there is no guarantee what direction interest rates will go, despite the forecasts of the experts. Therefore, make your financial decision based on where things are today including your budget, your needs and your future plans.

Locking in rates assures your lowest interest:

If you do decide you want to lock in at a certain interest rate, you will need to complete a loan application and send it to your lender as soon as possible. This must be done so that your commitment doesn’t run out before your loan is approved. Follow up and be se sure that the lender is receiving all of the necessary documentation. Get a property appraisal, which usually costs about $300 – $500, through your Lender as soon as possible.

Don’t obsess and miss a good real estate deal:

Although rising interest rates can create more problems for home buyers, waiting and hoping for low rates is not necessarily a smart move. You may end up paying a higher price when playing the home mortgage interest rate timing game. Also, refinancing is always an option in the event that interest rates come down.

Buying the Best Home

Five Secrets to Buying the Best Home for Your Money

Do Not Make These Mistakes When Selling Your Home!

Mistake #1 — Pricing Your Property Too High:

Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Avoid these mistakes when selling your home. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. This is one of the most damaging mistakes when selling you home!

Mistake #2 — Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value:

Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your REALTOR® for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.

Mistake #3 — Forgetting to “Showcase Your Home”:

This may be one of the worst mistakes when selling you home, but it is simple to avoid. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers.

Mistake #4 — Trying to “Hard Sell” While Showing:

Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don’t try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to point out any subtle amenities and be receptive to questions.

Mistake #5 — Trying to Sell to “Looky-Loos”:

A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a “for sale” sign he saw, may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a REALTOR® are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate. This is one of the mistakes when selling your home.

Your REALTOR® should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. REALTOR®s should usually find out a prospective buyer’s savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your REALTOR® fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new REALTOR®.

Mistake #6 — Not Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities:

It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing.

Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections and is one of the most serious mistakes when selling you home. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold “as is”? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kinds of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money. Do not make these mistakes when selling your home!

Mistake #7 — Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property:

Your REALTOR® should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your REALTOR® should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your REALTOR® is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job, too, so you may not be able to get in touch with many potential buyers.

Bothell Washington

Searching Real Estate in Bothell Washington

City of Bothell Washington

Nestled along the banks of the Sammamish River and tucked away between the trees, approximately 12 miles northeast of Seattle, you will find the quaint town of Bothell Washington. Not quite the fast paced urban feel of Seattle, yet full of hospitality and all the amenities a big city can offer.

Bothell is conveniently located next to the major Interstates of 405 and I-5. Its proximity offers a central location for day trips to the mountains and coast, as well as easy access to Seattle’s downtown and waterfront, Woodinville’s wine country and many other regional attractions. However, there is also plenty to do right here!

Bothell’s blend of past, present and future and its closeness to nature, culture and industry, makes it the perfect place to spend a day, a weekend or longer.

Bothell Washington Links & Information

City of Bothell,
Website: City of Bothell Washington

Bothell Washington Parks & Recreation
Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce
Bothell Washington – Northshore School District

This page provides you with a current Windermere Homes and Land for sale listings search feature to find all real estate broker listed properties by MLS number from a trusted Windermere real estate agent and REALTOR® who services all of Bothell Washington real estate.

Using this site will provide Bothell real estate buying and selling information on Bothell homes for sale, Bothell new homes and Bothell land for sale from a trusted Bothell Washington Windermere real estate agent and REALTOR®, Bob Chapman.

Whether you are interested in a MLS number search for residential property, new home, condo or condominium, fixer home, townhomes, new construction, development land, vacant land, waterfront and lakefront, horse & equestrian property, rental investment, multi-family, foreclosure, home for sale or a home loan on your existing property, you will find a variety of Bothell Washington real estate listings and information available by CLICKING on any of the searches listed on this page.

Bothell Windermere real estate listings, will help you every step of the way with your current and/or future real estate needs.

This Bothell Washington real estate website page also has up to date information on real estate home loan interest rates, mortgages and a loan or mortgage calculator.

Tips for Real Estate Investing

Tips for Real Estate Investing

Be a Real Estate Investor!

When it comes to investing, everybody has certain goals and aspirations. However, we have found that there are certain guidelines every aspiring real estate investor needs to know Please see the tips for real estate investing below:

1. Compare Property Values and Rents:

Financial statistics only go so far; the best measure of a property’s market value is often the sale prices of nearby properties. The same holds true for area rents. A low price can often be justified by a reasonable rent; renters who can afford a high rent can afford to buy instead, so reasonably priced rent is a need.

2. Be Careful – Tax Laws May Change:

Don’t base your tax investment on current tax laws. The tax code is constantly changing, and a good investment is a good investment regardless of the tax code. Another one of the tips for real estate investing is finding the right property with the right financing. That is what you should look for as an investor.

3. Specialize In Something You Know:

Start in a market segment you know. Whether you focus on fixer-uppers, foreclosures, starter homes, low-down payment properties, condominiums, or small apartment buildings, you’ll benefit from experience by specializing in one aspect of investment real estate properties.

4. Know The Costs Going In!:

Know the financial statements inside out. What are operating expenses? What are loan payments? Vacancy costs? Taxes? What does the cash flow statement look like? These are key issues that must be addressed before making a solid investment.

5. Know Where Your Tenants Are Coming From:

If the last rent increase was recent, your tenants may be considering a move. If tenants have a short-term lease, they may be living there simply to attract unsuspecting buyers. It is also important to collect the tenants’ security deposits at closing.

6. Assess The Tax Situation:

Taxes are an integral part of successful real estate investing, and they often make the difference between a positive cash flow and a negative one. Know the tax situation, and see how it can be manipulated to your advantage. It may be a good idea to consult a tax advisor.

7. Investigate Insurance Coverage:

If seller’s coverage is based on lower-than-current replacement value, your insurance cost may increase when you pay a higher purchase price.

8. Confirm Utility Costs:

Ask the local utilities to verify recent utility expenses, especially if any of these costs are included in your tenant’s rent.

9. Consult Your Accountant:

Taxation is a key element of successful real estate investing.  Find an accountant who is well-versed with the constantly evolving tax code is one of the important tips for real estate investing.

10. Inspect!:

Make sure that you always perform a thorough inspection of the property before buying it. Never, ever buy any property without at least examining the site. In all cases, hiring a professional inspector is a sound investment.

real estate links

Real Estate Website Links & Related Topics

Each topic listed below contains real estate and real estate related useful links to valuable information websites and web directories.

Find a Real Estate agent or listing nationwide or search for International real estate resources – Locate a Home Mortgage lender in your city or state – Directory of multiple and/or general topic Search Engines – A great selection of Home Decorating, Furnishings, Gadgets, Improvement, Security, Safety, Gardening and Landscaping ideas. Find links to Building Design & Architecture plans websites.