http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/the-energy-efficient-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/the-energy-efficient-home.html Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
A well insulated house stays cooler in the summer as well as keeping its heat in winter. Insulation ratings are measured in “R-values", which measures how well it resists the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value the better insulated your house will be. R-40 is recommended for attic insulation. Insulated basements, though often overlooked, can improve the comfort of your home - in these areas R-12 or greater is recommended. Also, seal all cracks and other air leaks. If you add up the total size of the hidden leaks in your home, it can be the equivalent of leaving a window open!

Single paned windows aren't very efficient at stopping heat transfer, which means that you may be paying for heat that is going right through your windows. Double and single paned windows are more efficient, as are coated windows. Can't afford new windows? Many home improvement and hardware stores offer do-it-your-self window seal kits that allow you to attach a second seal using a hair dryer. Also, make use of your curtains! Keeping them drawn on summer days while you are at work will keep the heat out.

Lighting accounts for five to ten per cent of your total energy use. This is an easy area to reduce your costs. The most obvious (but often overlooked) way to cut costs is to always turn off the light when you leave a room. Make use of the natural lighting available and choose lighter colors for your interiors. Use task lighting instead of general ceiling lights - by focusing your lights on the task at hand you can cut the energy output. Keep your lights clean - cut through dust and cut your costs. Most indoor light bulbs are incandescent, which are particularly inefficient. More than 90 per cent of the energy used by these bulbs is wasted on heat, not light (ever try to change a light bulb that's been on for a while?). By choosing compact fluorescent bulbs you can cut your lighting energy by up to two thirds. These bulbs also last up to eight times longer than regular light bulbs.

Appliances and home electronics use a lot of energy. A general rule is to keep them unplugged and turned off when not in use. Choose more energy efficient models when replacing older models.

Turn off your computer when you aren't using it. Not only do older computers use a lot of energy, the screen saver function can draw more energy than when the computer is in use. If you are planning to come back to the computer shortly, turn off the monitor.

Another area to consider is your water consumption. You can save money on your water heating costs by washing your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot, using low flow showerheads, and only running the dishwasher or washing machine with a full load. Insulate your electric water heater and wrap the exposed hot water pipes to stop the loss of heat.

By taking a few steps to consider your home’s energy consumption you can save money and become a greener family. by making a few small improvements you are well on your way to improving the comfort and resale value of your property.

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/condos-versus-traditional-homes.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/condos-versus-traditional-homes.html Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The term "condo" can apply to several different types of housing, the main similarity that all condos have is the fact that the building they are in or the property that they occupy is joint-owned by everyone who owns a unit. Typically there is also an association of some sort that is charged with making decisions that affect the building or property. This is a group made up of owners and they are charged with making rules and decisions and ensuring that policy is followed. Getting aquatinted with a given condo's association is usually a good idea before purchasing a unit.

Another aspect of condo ownership that must be noted is the monthly fees. This is separate from any mortgage fees that must be paid. These fees are collected to fund the upkeep of the building and it's services. As the individual owners are also the owners of the property itself, the responsibility falls to them to ensure that the building and property is tended to. These fees are collected by the associating and allocated according to need.

One of the most attractive aspects of condos is that they are able to offer amenities that under most circumstances, would be extremely expensive to attain in a standard housing situation. Many modern condos come ready built with pools, fitness clubs, activity rooms, spas and more. Another current development is the creation of condo and community living developments that are a part of a country club. Typically the purchase of a home or condo in these developments includes a membership to said country club.

Condos have evolved to encompass numerous different kinds of housing situations and by all indication they are quickly gaining value. Stereotypically condos have a lower starting price than standard homes, but that being said; there are condos that can reach well into the millions. Take some time and do the homework, a new condo may just be the housing situation that you have been looking for.

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/turning-a-home-into-a-dream-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/turning-a-home-into-a-dream-home.html Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Creating an overall theme for a home is an interesting experience and can be extremely rewarding if successful and heartbreaking if it isn't. Many people spend considerable time discussing matters with a designer and others simply have the knack for detailing their spaces already. Either way, the first thing you are going to have to arrange is the financing for your project. If it is on a small scale you may simply be able to pay for it up front. Other then that there are a few equity financing options such as the second mortgage or the home owners line of credit. Both of these options are perfect for renovations as they come with low interest rates with the loan secured by your home equity.

In terms of where to start with your renovations, think about which rooms in the home you use the most. Typically this will be the kitchen, main bathroom, and living room. One of the best ways to change the feel of the first two is to replace all the appliances and fixtures. The living room will be a bit of a different story. This space will be best served by some new furniture, art and maybe new floors.

The exterior of any home can be given new life by some landscaping and TLC for the yard. The yard will be anyone's first impression of your home so make sure you give it the necessary attention. Tending to the gardens, lawn and driveway will add a nice scenic element to the front yard and add value to the home. Creating your perfect are is not difficult, express your creativity and increase your home's value at the same time!

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/vacation-condos-a-great-investment.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/vacation-condos-a-great-investment.html Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
One of the aspects that makes a vacation condo rental so popular is the relatively low level of upkeep that is necessary. Cleaners can be easily contracted to keep the interior of the unit in pristine condition and the owner fees see to the condition and maintenance of the exterior of the building as with any condo complex. However, investing in a vacation rental condo requires some real legwork and investigation into the area you are investing in and the building that you have chosen. One major concern is the fact that many condo developments have rules against rentals. So you must be sure to find a building where this is not the case. Also, you will need the assurance that you can easily get information about the state of your investment from wherever you reside. This can be easily done by communication with the condo association for the building or by a property management service.

As with any investment make sure that you take certain measures to protect your interests. This will include proper contracts for people staying in your condo, user agreements so to speak. Also make sure that you have the correct insurance for vacation rentals. The final step is to find a place where you can properly advertise your rental, websites are a great solution for this. If you do your homework and plan properly, a vacation rental condo can be a fantastic investment.

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/are-you-ready-for-a-home.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/are-you-ready-for-a-home.html Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Finance plays a huge role in the decision to purchase your first home. This is to be expected as if you are purchasing your first home you will not likely have a few hundred thousand dollars sitting around and will have to find a mortgage of some sort. You should really make sure that you are prepared for the application for a mortgage as it will involve a thorough investigation of your past credit history. If there are any issues that you know of with your credit then you should take care of them before you apply for the mortgage. Sometimes this is a simple case of oversight, some things have been taken care of and not recorded as such, and sometimes there can be some debts that you will need to see to. Once these are taken care of, be sure to get a letter of release that you can show to the mortgage broker or company if necessary. If there are no issues with your credit then that will only make the process easier.

There is no stronger tool in the home buying process than having all your financing in line before you start shopping. This is a great attraction for sellers as they want their homes to sell quickly and without incident or trouble in the money phase, a buyer with ready-to-go financing's offers will hold greater favor with almost any seller. If you are mindful of these things then when the time comes to make your offer, the whole affair will go much more smoothly and you will be able to dedicate your time to what is important. How to decorate your new home.

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/real-estate-investments-land.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/real-estate-investments-land.html Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Before you purchase any parcel of land, do some research into the zoning of the area. Find out if it is zoned for residential, commercial or both. Finding something that is zoned for both is a great find because it gives you the widest array of options when selling. Also try to find out if there are any liens or easements on the property, this information will be critical when selling. Now consider the area that the land is in, is it an area that is likely to be developed? How does it match up in terms of location and proximity to amenities existing or proposed?

Also try to find out how the surrounding land has appreciated in the past years. If the area you are looking at has seen a push on development there is a good chance that land will be selling for a premium price as the development continues. To make your land more attractive to buyers, try clearing it yourself (if possible). Having all scrub and stumps removed is an attractive aspect to developers as it will save them time and money in the long run. Prospecting on the value of land can really pay off in the end if done correctly. development companies will pay top dollar for land in the right place so do your homework and good luck!

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/staging-your-home-during-the-winter-months.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/staging-your-home-during-the-winter-months.html Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Access to a home is crucial during the winter. Sidewalks and driveways can easily become danger areas as ice and snow can turn even the nicest yard into a skating rink. Its a daily task to ensure that the driveways and walkways are clear and safe. Keep a good supply of rock salt or another de-icing agent on hand. The last thing you want is a prospective buyer to slip on their way to the door. Remember if people have to trudge through knee deep snow to reach your front door, it won't look good for you as a seller. Keep the driveway shoveled and de-iced at all times. Its also a good idea to clear snow off the eaves and edges of the roof. Make sure there are no dangers to the visitors to your home.

Keeping the inside of a home clean while the weather is cold and snowy presents a different challenge. This is compounded if your home is a popular showing. With numerous people coming in during a day, its a great idea to have plastic shoe covers to help stop the problem of snow and dirt getting tracked into your home. During the cold months is a great idea to keep the house warm and inviting. If you have a fireplace, light it. The ambience and warmth will help visitors to stay longer and explore all that your home has to offer. Ideally you would like your home to be as inviting and interesting as possible. The winter months give a homeowner the opportunity to showcase their homes during the dreary winter weather. It's a chance to turn your home into a winter palace that will interest buyers from the moment they see it.

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Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out www.smithbowden.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/the-garage-storage-or-mess.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/the-garage-storage-or-mess.html Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
For most people the garage is a holding pen for years of accumulated clutter. Now this may not seem like a big deal, but when selling a home clutter can be a big problem. If you are one of those people that tend to be a bit of a pack-rat then cleaning out your garage will be a good project to undertake. Don't forget that when your home is viewed, every room including the garage will be under scrutiny. Maybe its time to sort through the stuff and decide what is worth keeping.

Another aspect that is commonly overlooked in garages is the general condition of the garage itself. Dingy walls and stained floors take away from the overall aesthetic quality of the home and buyers will notice this. Give the garage a coat of paint, or if you are really up to the task there are some amazing garage organization systems that improve the look and organization of garages a thousand fold. Prospective buyers will appreciate the added attention to the overall cleanliness of the home.



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Adam Coyle is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by Real Estate Webmasters. Each article is contributed by a member of our real estate community. This particular article was submitted on behalf of Smith Bowden Real Estate, a Madison, Wisconsin real estate consulting firm & brokerage.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>