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Would You Want to be Your Neighbor?

Exit Realty Solutions

Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Sep 4, 2010

Good neighbors are often not mentioned because the faults of bad neighbors are generally more obvious to everyone. Loud music, blaring TVs, frequent parties, driving too fast, messy yards, obnoxious pets, and being perpetually inconsiderate are some main offenses. However, just because good neighbors aren't discussed as often as poor ones, it doesn't mean being a good neighbor goes unnoticed. Here are some ways you can be the type of neighbor you would want.

Welcome new neighbors with a card, a plate of goodies, or just a friendly introduction. Everyone wants to feel like they have found their "home," and being kind and welcoming to new neighbors can help build lasting friendships.

Maintain your yard. You don't have to be the envy of all your neighbors with the greenest, most well-kept lawn. In fact, depending on where you live, the time of year, and your water supply, that can sometimes be more annoying than a dead lawn. Just water and mow your lawn as necessary, and pick up stray toys at the end of each day. Also, this should go without saying, but never park a vehicle on your lawn.

Slow down. You don't want to be the person who is known for speeding out of your driveway. Be aware of children playing outside, runners, bikers, and other vehicles in your neighborhood.

Be conscious of your music volume and the time of day you listen to loud music.

Invite neighbors over for dinner. Host a barbeque or party to get to know your neighbors.

Give your neighbors fair warning if you're going to have a large party or if cars may be parked in front of their homes. Even better, give them an invitation to the party.

Maintain control of your pets. Don't allow them to roam the neighborhood, and always clean up after them. Don't let your dog keep your neighbors up by barking outside all night.

When new neighbors move in, offer to help unload moving trucks and unpack boxes.

Offer to make meals for families with a new baby, an ill family member, or families who have recently lost a loved one.

Know and follow your HOA guidelines and/or city ordinances.

The simplest way to be a good neighbor is to be polite and considerate. Smile, wave, and strike up conversations. Do what your mother always taught you, and treat your neighbors as you want them to treat you.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Sep 3, 2010

Offering Seller Incentives in Lieu of Homebuyer Tax Credit

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Aug 25, 2010

After the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit expired in April this year, pending sales of existing properties fell 30% in May according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

If you are a current seller in this market, you may already feel the severe effects of the end of the federal tax credit. If you want to sell your home, there are a number of incentives you can offer to homebuyers in lieu of the homebuyer tax credit.

Lower your price. This seems obvious, but to really make it count, you may have to price your home low from the beginning to get multiple offers. Buyers are much more aware of the economy than they ever have been, and often, a lower price is much more appealing than any free perk. Also, buyers have access to an unlimited amount of data, and they will know if your home is priced too high.

Pay closing costs. Offer to pay a portion of the buyer's closing costs. Under the FHA mortgage program, sellers can provide credits up to 3% of the sale price (previously 6% but was changed to 3% in April 2010) to off-set closing costs. Sellers cannot, however, directly pay any portion of the buyer's down payment.

Update the interior. Offer to install new carpet, use a fresh coat of paint, and replace light fixtures.

Include appliances. Many new homeowners don't own a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or microwave. Including appliances that are already in the home is very enticing to many homebuyers.

Another option for sellers is to hold off until next year. Many market analysts are predicting the country won't see a steadily growing market until spring 2011. Most importantly, be patient. Statistics show that on average, it takes 21 showings to sell a home. However, offering incentives in lieu of the homebuyer tax credit, which caused a surge in home purchases over the past 18 months, is one way to help you sell your home faster.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 24, 2010

Credit Report Basics: What to Know When Buying a Home

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Aug 18, 2010

Many prospective homebuyers overlook the process of checking their credit report prior to applying for a loan. The information in your credit report can affect your interest rate, your down payment, or whether or not you can even buy a home.

Mortgage lenders want to know they will be repaid. Your credit report, which is a detailed record of your credit history, helps lenders determine a potential buyer's ability to repay their loan. Usually, mortgage lenders put the most emphasis on the following aspects of your credit report:

Past payment history
Current debts
Length of credit history
Number of new credit accounts you've opened or applied for
Types of credit you have

How Can I Get My Credit Report?

There are currently three companies that maintain credit information: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You are entitled to one free credit report per year by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. However, this credit report will not give you a credit score. If you want your credit score, you'll likely have to pay an additional fee.

Each of the credit reporting agencies also give you the option to purchase the full report and score they maintain. There are also options to purchase a "3-in-one" report which is a detailed overview of the information and scores from each of the three agencies. Be cautious of "free reports" with hidden fees unless you prefer a monthly credit monitoring service fee.

By reviewing your credit report in advance, you can determine the possibility of obtaining a loan with a good interest rate before applying for your loan. You can also catch any errors that may hinder the loan process.

What Does My Credit Score Say About Me?

The information provided by the three credit reporting agencies is used to create your FICO score, which is a number from approximately 300 to 850. Lenders will use your credit score when considering you for a loan, and if it's considered good, you'll have an easier time getting approved. If it's considered bad, you'll have more difficulty getting approved for a loan and likely pay a higher interest rate and down payment than somebody with good credit. You can get all three of your FICO scores from myFico.com.

If each of your FICO credit scores is 760 or higher, your credit is considered excellent. If your FICO scores are between 700 and 759, your credit is considered good. If your FICO scores are less than 700, or if you don't know your scores but know your credit reports list negative items, then it's time to start rebuilding your credit.

Don't be surprised if you discover that the credit scores from each of the three agencies are different. In reality, all three of the bureaus offer FICO credit scores using the same formula. The difference in these scores is largely because the bureaus don't necessarily all share the same data. For example, one bureau may list more accounts for you than another. Because these differences are common, it may be beneficial to pull and examine your credit reports from all three bureaus before you apply for a mortgage loan.

How Can I Fix Errors on my Credit Report?

There are generally two types of errors you might see on your credit reports:

Inaccurate information which might include errors with your personal information or account information that is not yours. For example, if your credit report reflects a store credit card you know you never opened, then that error needs to be fixed immediately. It could be a data mix-up, or it could be a sign of identity theft.

Accurate information that should have already expired from your report.

One study states that 79% of credit reports reviewed had some form of error in them.

The Internet has made the process of fixing errors convenient, and the government has regulated the process. When you dispute information on your credit report, the reporting agencies are required to investigate the dispute in a timely fashion. If they find that your dispute is legitimate, or if they are unable to verify the item one way or the other, they must remove said item from your credit report.

Hiring a credit repair company to handle this process for you isn't recommended. They generally charge you a large amount to do what you can easily do yourself.

What Can I Do to Improve My Credit?

Items that hurt your credit score are:

Bankruptcy
Outstanding (unpaid) debts
Late payments
Credit card balances near the credit limit on those cards
Liens (both outstanding and paid)

Depending on what it is, negative information can stay on your credit report for seven to ten years. A bankruptcy filing must come off after 10 years. All other information including civil suits, judgments, collection accounts, and any other adverse items come off after 7 years from the date of delinquency. It's possible for these items to last longer than the law allows, so it's important to review your reports once each year to make sure items are removed when they are supposed to be.

To maintain good credit or improve bad credit, follow these tips:

Don't close accounts. Having too many open accounts can hurt your score, but once you've opened the accounts, you can't repair your credit report by closing the account. When you close accounts, your total available credit shrinks. Closing older accounts can also make your credit history seem younger than it actually is.
If you want to apply for credit, do so in a fairly short period of time. The FICO score treats multiple inquiries in a 45-day period as just one inquiry and ignores all inquiries made within 30 days prior to the day the score is computed.
Correct all errors on all three reports.
Pay all your bills on time.
Be consistent in paying down your debt.
Apply for credit sparingly.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 17, 2010

6 Common Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Aug 3, 2010

You've determined that you're ready to buy a home. You've saved enough for a down payment, you've been searching for properties, and you're ready to make your dream a reality. Buying a home is an exciting process; however, if you're not careful, it can turn into a nightmare. Here are 6 common home buyer mistakes to avoid.

1. Not Budgeting Properly

It's easy to overestimate what you can afford. Although owning a home may be a better investment than renting, it's not necessarily going to be cheaper. Take a good look at your income and expenses for a few months before determining what you can comfortably afford. Make a budget sheet using Microsoft Excel or any other budgeting software. List all your income as well as every single expense, including food, gifts, and even haircuts. Keep in mind any emergency expenses as well.

When budgeting, don't forget about hidden costs including closing costs, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, HOA fees, and décor and furniture to fill your new home.

2. Neglecting your Credit Report Prior to Getting Approved

Your credit score can be either helpful or detrimental to your loan process. Getting a full credit report from all three credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion - before applying for your home loan will not only let you know how credit-worthy you are, it can lead you to possible reporting errors. One study found that as many as 25 percent of credit reports have damaging errors.

3. Not Getting Pre-approved for a Home Loan before Searching

Most sellers prefer bids from prospective buyers who are already pre-approved for a home loan. Being pre-qualified and pre-approved are different. Pre-qualification is usually the unofficial process of informing a lender of your credit status, income, and debt. The lender can usually give you a ballpark figure of what type of loan they may offer. Pre-qualification is based on your word alone and doesn't hold much weight with sellers.

Pre-approval is the verification of the information you provided to the lender. This process will give you a better idea of how much the bank will loan you. Getting pre-approved can get you a step ahead other potential bidders that have no pre-approval.

4. Skipping the Home Inspection

You love that old fixer-upper, but skipping the home inspection can cost you as much in repairs as the cost of the home itself. The home inspection should include the overall foundation and structural features of the house, the roof, walls, plumbing, the presence of mold, pest infestations, heating, air conditioning, appliances, and the electrical system. Also, ensure that your inspector is certified with the American Society of Home Inspectors.

5. Picking the wrong neighborhood

You've found a home you love, but do you know what happens in the neighborhood after dark? Do you know the crime rate? What is the traffic like during rush hour? How is the school district?

Knock on your potential neighbors' doors, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Call the school principal, or talk to parents who are waiting to pick up their kids after school. Read the local newspaper to learn more about the community. There are many real estate blogs and community websites on the internet so before buying the home, check out the neighborhood.

6. Using a Bad Real Estate Agent or No Agent

You want a real estate agent who understands your needs and limitations and will work for you and look out for your interests. Get references from friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Consider interviewing a few different agents to find out about their activity and experience in your area.

It's definitely possible to buy a home without the help of a professional real estate agent, but realtors have access to all the homes on the market through the multiple listing service (MLS). Unless you are in the real estate business yourself, you'll likely not have any access to the MLS in your area. Real estate agents spend their time sifting through listings, making appointments to show homes, meeting with inspectors, and helping you create a comparative market analysis to determine proper pricing.

The real estate agent you choose could be the greatest asset or biggest obstacle to finding your dream home.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 2, 2010

Sell Your Home using Home Staging

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Jul 22, 2010

Many buyers make a decision about a home within 15 seconds of walking through the front door. To make a great first impression, many homeowners are turning to Home Staging. Home Staging is the process of setting the scene throughout your home to create immediate buyer interest.

Benefits of Home Staging

Donna Dazzo, a New York-based home stager, pointed out that staging moves up sell dates and adds more money to sellers' pockets. She noted a recent study performed by The Real Estate Staging Association, which showed that after they'd been on the market for quite some time, occupied homes that were staged sold on average within six days, while unoccupied homes sold within 28 days after staging. "Home staging results in a higher price, all other things being equal," she said, adding that the money that clients invest in staging usually results in a 350-percent return on investment in terms of getting a number closer to their sale price. "An investment in staging will always be less than the first price reduction," she said.

Clean Up and Remove All Clutter

Potential buyers don't want to see how you live. They want to picture themselves living in your home. When cleaning for home staging, you should plan to clean your home better than you ever have before. Clean every surface including windows (inside and out) and window sills, ledges, door knobs, ceiling fans, shelves, mini blinds, ceiling and floor corners, and baseboards. Remove all tile grout with bleach. Caulk areas around sinks and bathtubs. If the job seems overwhelming, consider hiring a maid service or cleaning crew. The benefits of home staging will be worth the cost.

Get your carpets professionally cleaned. If you have pets, this is absolutely necessary. Even if you don't, professionally cleaned carpets are far more appealing than worn out, stained ones.

When considering purchasing your home, people will open your cupboards and closets. Make sure they're organized neatly. Every storage area in your home should be neat, clean, organized, and clutter-free.

To Decorate or Not to Decorate

You need to show your home at its best potential to buyers. Lori Matzke, Professional Home Stager and Founder of "Center Stage Home" states, "Keep in mind that what you are selling is the house, not its contents. . . If you remove throw or area rugs, eliminate clutter and collections, and cut down on furniture and accessories, the room will appear to be more airy and spacious. . . It's all about flow."

Make your home look as spacious as possible. Rearrange furniture so it is conducive to a smooth traffic flow. Store away any excess furniture and knick knacks. Take down your wedding photos, religious items, school pictures, and collection of refrigerator art.

Consider replacing the towels in your bathrooms and kitchen with a couple of fresh new ones. Remove all personal items from countertops, and place a plant on the bathroom vanity. Remove all dirty laundry from sight. Add a centerpiece to your dining room table if you don't already have one. Take a close look at your houseplants. If they are dying or unsightly, remove them or replace them. Place plants in clean, attractive containers. Add a fresh, non-offensive fragrance to your home using potpourri, scented oils, or scented wax (as candle smoke can stain walls) such as cinnamon or vanilla. Many agents are even advising homeowners to bake a fresh batch of cookies if they know they will be showing their home. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral color will also go a long way.

Your front porch is the first thing people see. If you have any dead or tattered planters, replace them with fresh ones. Keep all planters watered and trimmed. Keep your porch clean and inviting. Replace your front door handle if necessary, and put a stylish wreath on the door.

Ms. Dazzo states, "Even though people's clutter is a turn-off to potential buyers, the opposite problem - a vacant home - is one that really keeps houses on the market longer. If there is nothing left in the house, buyers sense desperation and begin trying to whittle down prices, and as the listing gets more stale, the house becomes even harder to sell. . . If it doesn't have furniture, people notice cracks in the walls, scuffs in the floor."

Home Staging can be a project you can do yourself, but if you want to invest in a professional Home Stager, the benefits are often worth the cost.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jul 21, 2010

Water Conservation

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Jun 24, 2010

20 Water Conservation Tips that Won't Cost You a Penny

According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, Utah consumes approximately 293 gallons per person per day. We live in a desert where water is a precious resource. Water conservation not only saves money on utility bills, it helps preserve our environment.

Here are 20 Tips to help you conserve water that do not cost you anything and will eventually save you money:

Don't use the toilet as a garbage can. Each time you flush, you use 3-6 gallons of water. Throw used tissue paper and cotton pads in the trash.
Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Use your dishwasher only when it is full. If you have a newer model, pre-rinsing is usually not necessary. Use the appropriate setting when washing dishes, and do not run the "Pots and Pans" option unless absolutely necessary.
Match your clothes washer setting to fit the size of the laundry load. Avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an additional 5 gallons of water for the extra rinse. If you are in the market for a new washer, consider purchasing a water-saving frontload washer.
Don't let the faucet run when you rinse off vegetables and fruit. Wash them in a bowl instead.
Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge. Waiting for the tap water to cool wastes water and time.
Take shorter showers. Use a timer or an alarm clock if necessary. Reducing your shower time by 1-2 minutes can save up to 150 gallons per month.
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Use the garbage can instead.
Monitor your water bill. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks. If your bill reflects unusually high water usage, you may have a leak.
If the toilet flapper in the tank doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both water and energy while helping your clothes maintain their colors.
Reuse your towels.
When washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather the soap.
If you drop ice cubes on the floor when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink or a large container with clean water. Rinse when all the dishes have been scrubbed with soap.
When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water plants, trees, or shrubs.
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, garages, and sidewalks.
Don't water the sidewalk, gutter, or the road. Position your sprinklers accordingly, and avoid watering your lawn on windy days. Ensuring that your sprinklers water only your lawn will avoid wasting water. Also, your neighbor who recently washed his car will appreciate not getting sprayed as he drives past your house.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 23, 2010

NAR Calls for More Affordable, Accessible Disaster Insurance

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Mar 18, 2010

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR®) wants the federal government to be proactive in disaster relief instead of reactive. The association's immediate past president, Charles McMillan, spoke before two house panels recently to plea his case for more affordable disaster insurance.

McMillan's reasoning, according to an NAR® press release is that tax payers are ending up footing the bill when natural disasters occur because many home owners simply can't afford catastrophic event insurance.

Following is a list of criteria outlined by McMillan and recently published by the NAR®:

Ensure transparent and comprehensive insurance is available and affordable at premiums reflecting risk.
Acknowledge personal responsibility of those living in high-risk areas to purchase adequate insurance;
Provide owners incentives to undertake mitigation measures when appropriate;
Acknowledge the importance of building codes and smart land-use decisions, stressing the importance of enforcement at the state and local levels;
Recognize the role of states as appropriate regulators of property insurance and the role of the federal government cases of mega-catastrophes; and
Reinforce the proper roles of all government levels for investing and maintaining critical infrastructure, like levees, dams and bridges.

McMillan cited House bill, H.R. 2555, the Homeowners' Defense Act, authored by Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla., as a "good start."

"All reasonable proposals should be considered in creating a national policy to proactively address the inevitable, rather than waiting for the next crisis to occur and rely upon taxpayer-funded bailouts," McMillan told the Congressional panel.

Read the entire press release from NAR® at http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/03/property_insurance.

We'd like to know what you think about the need for government to help make disaster insurance more affordable and more accessible. Leave us a comment!

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Mar 17, 2010

REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards Seek Entries, Winners Receive $10,000

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Mar 4, 2010

The following is a news alert from the National Association of Realtors®

The National Association of Realtors® is now accepting applications for the 11th annual REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards. The awards recognize Realtors® for their commitment to volunteer service.

The five winners will be announced in November in REALTOR® Magazine. Each winner will be recognized at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans and receive travel expenses to the conference, national media exposure for his or her community cause, and a $10,000 grant for the charity. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.

"We all know that Realtors® build communities," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. "The Good Neighbor Awards gives us the opportunity to honor the very best of our Realtor® volunteers who make an incredible commitment of their time and energy to help those in need."

Last year's winners contributed a combined total of nearly 8,000 hours to their causes and drew a standing ovation from more than 7,000 Realtors® and guests during the annual conference's general session in San Diego. The 2009 winners were Greg Adamson, Prudential Utah Real Estate, American Fork, Utah, Heart 2 Home Foundation; Cindy Johnson, Dona Christensen Realty, Woodbury, Minn., The Arc of Minnesota; Helen Marotto, EXIT Homeplace Realty, Hampstead, N.C., Cape Fear Guardian Ad Litem Assn.; Regina Ragon, Prudential Realty Center, Flintstone, Ga., Latin American Community Development; and Samuel Thomas Jr., Imani Realty & Assocs., Willingboro, N.J., QUEST Community Outreach.

"REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards recognize the important role Realtors® play as volunteers in their communities," said REALTOR® Magazine Editorial Director Pamela Geurds Kabati. "We hope highlighting their stories inspires more Realtors® to give their time to important community organizations."

Previous Good Neighbor Award winners say their charities have benefited from the grant money and the increased public exposure. "The Good Neighbor Awards has increased the exposure of The Sport of Giving from our local community to a national audience," said 2008 Good Neighbor Award Winner Sheila Stevens, Prudential Georgia Realty, Suwanee, Ga., founder of The Sport of Giving. "The inquiries that are flowing in to host events in other parts of the country have allowed us to launch new events and help more people. Our mission has become a reality thanks to the Good Neighbor Awards."

REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe's. In addition to the grant money, each winner will receive a $2,000 Lowe's gift card and each honorable mention will receive a $1,000 Lowe's gift card.

Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 21, 2010. For more details and a nomination form, call 800/874-6500, visit www.REALTOR.org/gna, or see the March issue of REALTOR® Magazine.

Lowe's (www.lowes.com) has worked with customers to maintain and improve their homes since 1946. Lowe's is proud to support the Good Neighbor Awards. Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in North America. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's, a Realtor® Benefits Partner, brings Realtors® exclusive benefits to help build relationships with their customers, generate referrals and expand their client base. The benefits program is featured on www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Mar 2, 2010

Cold Reality about Ice Removal

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Feb 13, 2010

Many states in America are grappling with blizzards and freezing temperatures right now. If you're not in one of those locations, consider your self lucky! If you are, staying safe and warm is probably your primary focus.

Icy walkways and driveways can be dangerous. In some cases, not even a shovel or snow-blower can protect you from that thin, dark, barely visible layer of ice that bonds to surfaces and doesn't thaw until spring.

It can be tempting to buy chemicals at the local hardware store to remove stubborn frozen leftovers. They are very effective. But before you do buy, know what you're shopping for and understand the potential residual effects to your yard,concrete paths, and to the environment in general.

Remove Deep Snow

It is not cost effective to melt deep snow with chemicals. It can also be dangerous to the surrounding environment. Before attempting to remove ice that has bonded to your walkways and driveways remove as much of the snow as you can with a shovel, snow blower, or plow.

Although ice may appear to be frozen on top of pavement, ice actually bonds to porous surfaces. In order to properly remove the ice, it's important to actually break that bond. Some chemical products are designed to do just that. Others are designed to prevent bonds from forming at all.

Choosing Between a De-icer and an Anti-icer

All chemicals for icy winter conditions are not created equal. There are two basic groups:

1. De-icers

2. Anti-icers

De-icers are generally spread over snow or ice. Remove as much as possible before using these chemical's intended to get into the pavement's surface and break the icy bond. De-icers can actually make the snow removal process easier and less work with a much cleaner result.

Anti-icers should be applied before it snows. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way. These chemicals are designed to prevent snow and ice from bonding to paved surfaces. Many manufacturers combine the two products.

Rock Salt, 'to Use or Not to Use'

Rock salt is pretty cost effective. It's inexpensive and easy to spread. However, as harmless and natural as rock salt might seem, it has some pretty nasty side effects.

Rock salt is known to:

Cause corrosion on vehicles
Damage vegetation
Kill marine life
Harm pets' paws
Speed decay of paved surfaces

Potential risks researched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent manufacturers looking for environmentally-friendly alternatives. The key to using any chemical is to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely and avoid overuse.

Carefully read the label of any chemical product before you buy it. Better yet, consider strategies that will help you avoid the use of chemicals at all.

Make Technology a Part of the Plan

There are many strategies used today to combat ice. If you are building a home in a location known for harsh weather, consider incorporating some of these strategies. If you are remodeling, or rebuilding decks, sidewalks and driveways, now is a good time to consider your alternatives. You don't have to completely rebuild to simplify the process, there are alternatives you can add on with very little time or expense.

Research the use of:

Hydronic systems to heat concrete
Electric systems buried under pavement to heat the surface and melt ice or prevent freezing in the first place.
Reusable rubber mats that are heated by electricity or solar energy
Low-energy lighting systems targeted to one particular area

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Feb 12, 2010

Supply and Demand Helps Stabilize Home Market

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Posted by Exit Realty Solutions on Feb 5, 2010

On Feb. 2 the National Association of Realtors' Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, said home sale statistics are skewed by the federal home buyer tax credit that sent some shoppers scrambling for a closing in 2009, and others racing to get in on a 2010 expanded and extended version of the federal break.

In fact, Yun said, pending home sales have stabilized and are up from those reported last year. The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit threatened to sunset at the end of November in 2009. That caused an upswing in the number of homes sold. Then, the tax credit program was extended and expanded. The April 30 deadline for the extension is looming and home sales are again on the rise. The swings can be confusing.

In an NAR press release, Yun said, "These swings are masking the underlying trend, which is a broad improvement over year-ago levels. December activity was the fifth highest monthly tally in two years."

According to NAR, the Pending Housing Sales Index (PHSI) is a good market indicator. Following is a brief look at its recent performance.

In the Northeast PHSI rose 2.3 percent to 76.1 in December and is 14.9 percent higher than December 2008.
In the Midwest the index increased 5.2 percent to 86.9 and is 8.7 percent above a year ago.
Pending home sales in the South rose 2.2 percent to an index of 98.4, and are 5.5 percent higher than December 2008. In the West the index fell 3.8 percent to 119.9 but is 18.6 percent above a year ago.

Yun projects the extended and expanded tax credit will encourage 2.4 million households to take the credit in 2010. He expects new home sales to remain low, but existing home sales should rise to about 5.6 million this year. In 2009 there were 5.16 million existing-home sales. The increase in sales could help stabilize the market overall. It's simply a matter of supply and demand.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Feb 5, 2010