Green Home Guide

Everybody is talking green, and by green, I don’t mean money. Green is in. It’s the latest thing.

The government has gotten into the act by forming ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy.  This program rates different appliances, office equipment, home electronics and more (there are over 50 categories total) to identify the most efficient of them all.  If an item has rated an ENERGY STAR, you can be assured that it has met strict guidelines for energy efficiency. 

For example, an ENERGY STAR dishwater are at least 25% more efficient that contemporary conventional models.  In addition, an ENERGY STAR clothes washer cuts watery and energy consumption by over 40% as well. 

I found these statistics in the RE/MAX-published Green Home Guide which also has useful tips on how to make your home more green, and best of all, it’s free for the asking.  The guide is clear, concise, and full of practical advice that anyone can follow.

This guide includes:

• What is a Green Home?
• 5 Essential Things to Keep in Mind
• Green Return On Investment
• And more….

Just send me an e-mail and I’ll send you a pdf.

Smart Renovator Guide

As your agent, my concern for you does not stop at getting you in the front door.  Once you have bought your dream house, you will likely notice that there are a few things that need touching up or a makeover.  Whether you are interested in reselling your home at some point or in staying there for an indefinate number of years, there is a huge upside to renovating your home.

First, if you are going to sell it, smart renovations can exponentially increase your return.  Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is always a good choice, but you want to make sure any renovations you do fit with the rest of your house.

There are many things to consider before you tackle a home renovation job, such as should you do it yourself or hire a professional.  To that end, RE/MAX has put together the Smart Renovator Guide, which is free for the asking. I have several hard copies left, as well as a pdf version. Just let me know which you would like to have.

This quick guide includes:

• Return on Renovation Charts
• Renovation Red Alert
• 6 Suggestions for Successful Home Improvements
• And more…

Request your copy today.

Smart Buyer Guide

Many times, searching for the perfect house seems to be a daunting task.  There are so many things to consider, including location, surrounding environs, not to mention features of the house.  With all these thoughts racing through your head, it’s easy to overlook one salient fact or another. 

The first thing to do is make a list of what is absolutely nonnegotiable to you as a buyer, what you are willing to negotiate on, and what doesn’t matter as much to you.  Not only will it give you a clearer picture of what you want in a house, it will make your dream seem more concrete. 

This is just one tip available in the RE/MAX Smart Buyer Guide, which is free for the asking. I have several hard copies left, as well as a pdf version. Just let me know which you would like to have.

There are also other helpful hints such as wearing comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes to go looking at houses.  It seems like common sense once you hear it, but it’s not necessarily something one would think of beforehand.

This short guide includes:

• House Hunting Tips
• 20 Questions for Picking the Perfect Neighborhood
• Mortgage Myths
• 10 Simple Steps to House Buying
• And more….

Request your copy today.

Smart Seller Guide

There is a lot of information available for the first-time buyer, but not so much for the first-time seller.  If you’ve never sold a house before, it may seem as if everyone is speaking a different language.  There seems to be a million things that need to be done, and so little time in which to do them.  You may be flummoxed by what needs to be inspected and what doesn’t, how much your home is really worth, and other such important details.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation and to wonder if you’ve thought of everything.  ith that in mind, RE/MAX has put together the Smart Seller Guide which has plenty of helpful hints for all sellers, but especially for first-time sellers.  It is a great place to start, and it’s free for the asking. I have several hard copies left, as well as a pdf version. Just let me know which you would like to have.

This short guide includes:

• 30 Questions for First-time Sellers
• Smart Seller Dos and Don’ts
• 6 Suggestions for Successful Home Selling
• And more….

Request your copy today.

Real Estate Insights

The National Association of Realtors publishes the Real Estate Insights monthly. If you want a copy of the latest issue in pdf format, just drop me an e-mail.

There are some market indicator statistics that are published in this newsletter. A quick glance includes the following:
Existing home inventory is up.
Existing home sales is down 1% from March.
Housing Affordability – falling prices will entice buyers back into the market
Mortgage Rates have climbed to just over 6%.

For your copy, just send me a quick e-mail. Back issues are also available.