1. What type of bathroom are you remodeling or adding? half bath? family/shared bath? master/spa bath? children's bath?*Answer: Unlike other types of bathrooms, a half-bath permits the use of materials that would not otherwise be used in bathrooms with showers and tubs due to excessive steam and splashing. For example, some half-bath options include wood, bamboo or cork flooring.2. How many people will be using the bathroom...more
While every homebuyer is different, there are some common themes among those that are looking for a new home. Every buyer wants a quality home that they will be proud to live in and won't fall apart within months or even years. Most homebuyers are focusing not only on quantity in the way of square footage, but also quality, as that is what gives a home its worth.Common DesiresThere are some basic things that homebuyers are looking...more
We all know that these days, there is a lot of properties for sale being heavily marketed online. Several of these properties are advertised on real estate agent's sites but there is a quick growing number of websites that allow sellers to directly sell their property without the need of a middle-man.On top of that there is a new type of estate agent; online agents, who charge an one-off fee to advertise property, and then allow sellers to tag on additional services like viewings, and negotiations.This is a very good benefit to sellers since they are able to have more choices and will get value-for-money which will also increase the likelihood for them to get a good price for their real estate.In a large-scale research the Office for Fair Trading conducted recently about home-selling in the UK, 32% of those asked stated that they feel the charges the real estate agents receive is slightly poor if not very poor value for money. OFT, due to the result of the study, recommended sellers to seek more lower fees for real estate agents and look for better prices.The conclusion of the OFT research was to open up the market so that new business models will fit in easily. A...more
I often get the question, "What do I look for in a neighborhood?"My answer is always the same. "Easy. Value!"I usually get a strange look, but it's true. In a neighborhood, I am looking for clues to assess the value of the property, plain and simple.Well, maybe not so plain and simple, I know. So let me explain.Normally, my...more
What Is My Home Worth? Understanding the appraisal process and what drives home values.Written by John TatmanRetired Real Estate Appraiser Actually, there are two home values, the value to the homeowner and the value to the potential buyer. Unfortunately, both values are emotional and not facts based on market data. The homeowner has...more
Whether you are moving into a new home or just re furnishing your old home shopping for a living room furniture set can be a daunting experience. This task can be even more difficult if you are unsure of what it is you want exactly. When buying a living room furniture set your should ensure you have all the necessary information to make an informed choice.For those looking to maximize the space in their living room, a sectional sofa is probably the best choice. Not only does sectional living room furniture free up space in the center of the living room through its placement against the wall, it also offers more space to sit because of the corner wedge that connects the two main parts of the sofa. One of the most important things to remember when living room furniture shopping is to buy pieces that will last. Many people often opt for cheaper options, yet these pieces will often need replacing after just a few years. Quality pieces will last significantly longer, so you truly do get what you pay for!However you should not neglect quality as the furniture in your living room should last you for a couple of years at least. Just because the furniture is cheap it is not a...more
Buying a house can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Here are some key questions to ask yourself and sellers before plopping down a down payment. What To Ask When Looking At Potential HomesFollowing is a list of general...more
Real estate sales have become a purchaser's market due to our present economic recession. Just the same, it is taking home sellers an increasingly long time to sell their homes. Buyers can select which homes they prefer as a result of...more
With the current economic expansion moving ahead in 2005, the key issue for real estate is: will the normal relationships between overall economic activity, demand for space, increasing demands for money, and rising levels of property...more
If you have come into a sizable amount of cash and would like to try your hand in running a business, you can consider purchasing foreclosure homes at bargain prices and reselling them with a significant profit margin. Even for...more
Every day I am approached by people in residential real estate, by people in different professions such as medicine and law, and others who are not too informed on commercial real estate and what it is really about. When they discover...more
For years, many people from the East or West Coast snickered when Branson, Missouri was brought into a conversation. They seemed to look down their noses at the Midwestern people flocking to beautiful Branson to camp out, stay in their...more