Brighten things up on moving day

Since the phasing out of less efficient light bulbs in 2012 more than just the bulbs have changed.

Lightbulbs are removable but sellers in the past looked at them like a “giveaway”. Today, it is not unusual for sellers to take the bulbs because of the cost and years of use remaining on them.

To save extra work and time during the busy move a buyer can make a list of bulbs and lumens they use during an inspection period. Or, to avoid complication be specific when negotiating with a seller the items that remain with the home.

You may also need a cheat sheet when shopping for bulbs if you are used to measuring the brightness by wattage.

Here is a link to help with wattage to lumens: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0164-shopping-light-bulbs

As for the high upfront cost, it should even out with the energy saved.

Happy home buying 🙂

‘Fixer Upper’ Spin-off ‘Woodwork’ To Bow On DIY Network — Deadline

Fans of the HGTV show Fixer Upper will soon have a Waco-style spin-off to enjoy. Chip and Joanna Gaines’s favorite woodworker is getting his own show on DIY Network. Clint Harp and his wife Kelly will be the stars of Woodwork, which will spotlight the couple making wood furniture and accessories at their shop Harp Design Co. in Waco, Texas. The show debuts May 9 at 10 ET/PT. Harp quit a six-figure sales job to pursue a woodworking career. It wasn’t instant success, as the…

via ‘Fixer Upper’ Spin-off ‘Woodwork’ To Bow On DIY Network — Deadline

Herbs for Home Spring Blessings — Harebell & Betony

A spring clean is a little cliched, but this time of year it really feels like the right thing to do. I am drawn to open windows, dust out cupboards, and generally ‘air’ the house, even with the snow still on the floor outside. I want the fresh, clean (cold!) air to circulate the house […]

via Herbs for Home Spring Blessings — Harebell & Betony

April 11th is the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Fair housing Title VIII

The Fair housing Act was signed into law on April 11, 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. The law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or advertisement of residential dwellings, brokerages services, appraisals, real estate loans and loan purchases. The 1968 law protected against discrimination based on race, religion, national origin and color.

Today the law has expanded to seven protected classes. In addition to the original four, handicap, familial status and sex have been added.

The fiftieth anniversary is a great reminder to celebrate the diverse country we live in and how we have grown our communities together. The opportunity to learn from each other has opened doors for many and helps promote economic opportunity.

Real estate professionals dedicated to providing equal service to all make the time to continually educate themselves to abide by law updates, but most of all “do the right thing”. Real estate companies adhering to this belief prominently display the fair housing logo on their marketing materials.

Take notice and join in on the celebration…..

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Happy home buying and selling 🙂

Own a “piece of the pie” with fractional ownership

If you’re anything like me one of my favorite reading materials poolside is a local real estate magazine. Surrounded by beautiful properties and scenery I like to flip the pages looking for a dream deal. Then it appears,
“4 bedroom 3 bath ocean front view, newly remodeled, $2250000 for 25% ownership”….What’s that all about?
Unlike time shares that offer ownership with many others , fractional ownership usually has less owners per property
25% ownership allows 13 weeks of use

Other advantages may be:

Accommodations are guaranteed at a favorite vacation destination
Terms of the purchase are easier to negotiate with fewer owners
You will have more input into the management of the property
Selling may not be difficult
Wear and tear on the property will be less with fewer owners
Shared expenses are easy to manage
You have an opportunity to invest in a property that may be out of your budget as a whole owner
Properties are usually spacious high quality homes or in smaller resort complexes
This is an option to consider when purchasing a second home if a fixed usage period is offered or a rotation that fits perfectly into your schedule.
If you’re looking to feel more at home with each visit you will want to look at a property that is unit specific for each use.
Find a great vacation home and purchase with family and friends

Since this type of ownership can be complicated and loaded up with stipulations the agreement to purchase or sell should be drafted by a Real Estate Professional or an attorney. With limited financing options a method of payment should be stated before executing an agreement.

Happy home buying and selling….

Robot or Realtor? — Monday Morning With Matey

The future is upon us, but actually we are so behind, the future is here and some of us may be phased out entirely. What am I talking about? ROBOTS! Several companies, one in California, one in Brooklyn currently employ Bots to show real estate and take questions from Buyers. Artificial intelligence, programmed into the […]

via Robot or Realtor? — Monday Morning With Matey

Fur angels….

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As you prepare to get your home market ready, one of the most overlooked decisions concern your beloved deceased pets. Many times they are buried and adorned by a monument typically in a garden or under a tree in the yard. In a practical sense it may be a difficult task to take the pet if it was not laid to rest with the families intent to move them at a later date. You may find peace leaving the pet behind by having a discussion with the buyer and hoping they share in your sentiment. There is no right or wrong answer for this, it is a personal choice.

For all the buyers out there, chances are you will stumble across the monument after your purchase if the seller did not disclose this. If you are someone who would find this really “creepy” you may want to put this on your buyers check list, because it is very common. A sellers property disclosure may reference graves, or burial pits but I would not rely on the idea that the seller has a pet in mind, without the question being very specific it may easily get missed.

Some locations especially urban areas have restrictions concerning pet burials at your home, so it may be a good idea to check the local ordinances should you find yourself in this situation. If you are often “on the move” cremation or pet memorial gardens are a good option, and will make things easy when you relocate.

Photo courtesy of: https://pixabay.com/en/cat-kitten-nature-sweet-cute-755812

Happy home buying and selling 🙂