Latest Articles by jmarsh

American Shanty

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:20:00 -0500

As the current recession continues to clamp down, more and more Americans are facing homelessness. Whether they've become homeless due to foreclosure, or whether they've lost their jobs and are now on the streets, there is a rising tide of homeless people that are seeking shelter in so-called "tent cities."

From Seattle to St. Petersburg, and Sacramento to Nashville, tent cities are appearing in surprising areas. No longer connected just with major urban centers, modern shanty towns are popping up in more rural areas and on the outskirts of cities.

In addition to more shanty towns being created in recent months, pre-existing tent cities have also experienced surges in their resident populations. Emergency housing shelters—particularly in areas like California where the climate is moderate—have seen a major influx of people seeking their services, so much so in fact, that hundreds of people are being turned away every day.

When asked recently about tent cities and the increase of homelessness in America, President Obama said, "I'm heartbroken that any child in America is homeless. And the most important thing that I can do on their behalf is to make sure their parents have a job. Part of the change in attitudes that I want to see here in Washington and all across the country is a belief that it is not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours."

Homelessness is nothing new in the United States; even when times are good our major urban centers struggle with homelessness. Thanks to the recent economic downturn however, more people than ever face the very real prospect of living on the streets.

Some have argued that tent cities are on the rise because of the record number of foreclosures happening around the country. Most however, believe that the foreclosure crisis is having more of a trickle-down effect rather than creating instant homelessness.

People who lose their homes to foreclosure typically are able to turn to renting as their first option. If they're still employed, their situation isn't totally dire, as they can still support themselves and find accommodations. Unfortunately, a rush of former homeowners entering the rental market can cause the rental rates to climb, which can make living in an apartment unreachable for lower income tenants. Those pushed out of the rental market have options like finding roommates or suites to rent, though a large number end up staying in motel rooms or other temporary accommodations. If motels become too expensive or overcrowded, then shelters and the streets are their next stop.

This trickle down effect has been happening with great rapidity of late, as the number of layoffs occurring is overwhelming the system. Two-income households are being reduced to one, and single income families are being reduced to nothing. Those who've been laid off face an extremely tough job market, where it can take up to a year to find something new.

It is the economic climate as a whole that is adding to the homelessness problem, not just foreclosures. Decreased property values and upside down mortgages have certainly added to our present situation, but it is the employment outlook that desperately needs to be brighter. Otherwise, there will be a fresh wave of Americans who can't find jobs or shelter, and must resort to living in tent cities.

Job loss, death of a spouse, mental illness, medical problems, and drug addiction are a few things that can lead to homelessness. Add to this the massive financial problems we've seen in this country, and you've got a recipe for modern American shanty towns.

No one can expect to eliminate homelessness completely, but it's important to make a start. Especially in communities where vacant properties outnumber the homeless, something in this country is out of whack. Homelessness needs to be tackled at its root level, and for those who've only recently become homeless, job creation and economic stimulus are a large part of the answer. By seeing tent cities spring up across the nation, it's clear that things are getting serious for many people. It's important that we all view the homeless as people deserving of respect and perhaps a little compassion—because one day we might join them.

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for details about their services, property listings, and information about finding beautiful Park Hill homes for sale.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Selling in a Difficult Market: Don't Go it Alone

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:19:14 -0500

If you listen to the media hype, you're probably thinking that you need to hold onto your home until the economy bounces back; that you'll never offload your house in this market. While it's true that sellers in some regions are finding it tough to sell right now, there are still buyers out there looking for a home.

The first step you need to take to ensure a successful sale of your home is to hire a reputable listing agent. While many people try the For Sale by Owner route first, most discover that selling a home is time consuming, complicated, and requires more specialized knowledge than they have.

Many homeowners who try to sell their home on their own become overwhelmed with trying to market their property to buyers. After all, it takes more than a yard sign and a couple of balloons to attract large numbers of viable buyers.

A good real estate agent will organize and host open houses for you, taking care of the scheduling, showing buyers around, and answering their questions. For these events, they will likely create professional brochures or fliers that feature the listing details of your home, as well as highlight the property's best features. This gives buyers something to bring home with them, and will make a positive impression.

In addition to traditional marketing methods like open houses, today's agents will also develop a solid advertising campaign for the internet. With over 80% of buyers starting their home search on the web, listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service and on other reputable websites is an important step in getting your home noticed. Thousands of agents and potential buyers will be able to access details and photos of your home from the comfort of their living room.

Having a web savvy agent is absolutely vital in this market, but you also want an agent who has been in the industry for a few years—particularly one who has experienced the ups and downs of the housing market. He or she will be able to provide insight and practical advice about how best to go about getting your home sold in a difficult market.

With your listing price set and marketing campaigns in place, a realtor will also help you negotiate with buyers to get the best price possible. Agents are trained and skilled in the art of negotiation, and will make the entire transaction much smoother for everyone.

Successful sales are possible even in slow markets like this one, but it's important to have an ally with know-how to guide you along the way.

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for details about their services, property listings, and information about their service areas, like Arvada real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Don't Run on Empty: Increase your Home's Energy Efficiency

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Would it surprise you to know that up to 15% of our power bills are spent simply on electric lighting? Perhaps many of us are not aware of the small, yet effective ways we could economize on our energy payments.

For those of us who do not have homes built in the last few 'energy-conscious' years, there are still ways that we can 'green-up' our homes. Many of the obvious ways have to be incorporated into the actual construction, but there is always room for improvement, even with new houses.

Statistics say that air conditioners and heaters suck up the largest supply of energy in the home and that reverting back to the old fashioned methods of keeping cool may cut down on our energy bills.

One old fashioned method for keeping your house cool is not to let the sun shine on your windows. Glass heats up very quickly and the warmth radiates into your home just as if the oven door was open. Drop down blinds on the outside of your house are the easiest and most efficient way to keep the sun off your glass windows. A cheap and effective alternative, which you can use temporarily each summer, is the bamboo roll down shade. It attaches to the outside of your home - even a couple of nails will hold it if you're desperate, and it stops the sun from heating up your glass.

Failing this, blinds closed on the inside of your windows will stop the heat from moving too far into your room. Likewise the closing of drapes helps keep the heat within the window area. However, the use of external bamboo roller blinds - especially on south facing windows - will make a noticeable difference.

Another old fashioned of keeping your home comfortable throughout the year is to plant trees and shrubs against the house. In the Mediterranean, for instance, large olive trees which 'fan out' are planted near the windows. They keep the house permanently in shade in the summer but in the winter the leaves fall and the sunlight can shine into your home.

Another point to consider is this: throwing open the doors and windows to give a cross-breeze is also a way of letting in the warm air. Therefore, if the roof of your home is well insulated, it is often better to keep all the windows and doors closed. The cooler overnight temperature will last longer - as long as your roof is well insulated.

If you incorporate these ideas into your home, you'll notice a difference in your air conditioning consumption. Heating costs, however, are more difficult to manage.

Old fashioned draft strips really do work to keep the warm air in, and the cool air out. They're very inexpensive to buy, so they can be used in the winter and discarded for spring.

You'll want to check your furnace as well, as older furnaces sometimes run very inefficiently. This means that you're paying more to heat your house than you need to. The newer models are far more energy efficient, and well worth the initial costs of buying a new unit.

Since lighting covers up to 15% of the power bill, it must be included in any economical measures. Turning off lights when leaving the room, not leaving computers or TVs on standby - all these save power. A big change would be to replace your incandescent lamps with fluorescent lights. You will have four times the amount of light per watt, the bulb will cost one third as much to operate and will last ten times longer!

Finally you can look at your hot water system - another possible 15% of your total bill. If you do not want to switch to the new 'tankless' hot water on tap method, then try installing energy efficient flow controls for your showers and sinks. The volume of water is reduced without the pressure being compromised.

Most of these changes are inexpensive to implement, but will give you noticeable returns on your energy bills.

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for details about their services, property listings, and information about their service areas, like Littleton Colorado real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Setting Goals For Your First Home Purchase

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It can seem an insurmountable task sometimes to start saving for your first home. There is always that balance that is needed in life as well, i.e. how to enjoy some of your money while trying to save most of it!

We are often told that in order to realize any achievement, as in going on a diet, or training for a marathon, we must break the process down into small steps. Small stages in our goal setting is one way that we can encourage ourselves to succeed.

The small stages are just a convenient way of stepping nearer to the big goal - hence the term stepping stone. As we pass each stepping - stone we are actually moving nearer to the impossible-to-achieve dream.

It is easy to think of setting up goals for running a marathon: you can just add a little more distance or speed each week. However, it is not so obvious to find a system to save up for your first house.

Generally speaking, stepping - stones need to be specific and they need to be in writing. Writing it out means you really have to think about it, and you can stick a copy in front of your sink/fridge/TV etc wherever you will keep seeing it.

This is just to remind you and give you some reinforcement, so that your mind is aware of what you are aiming for. If you draw up the whole list of goals at once, you can draw a thick red line through each one as you succeed!

Goal setting for most things seem to have different sections to consider. Your stepping-stones must be measurable, they must be written in precise language, they must be achievable but not easy, they must fit in with your life-style and they must have a time limit. Phew! This could be fairly demanding!

The first item - measurable - can be difficult, because often we will just think in non-measurable terms, like: I want to run 26 miles, I want to start saving for a house. This is not only an unrealistic challenge, it even makes you want to give up!

If stepping- stones are used, they sound more reachable: I want to be able to run one mile; I want to be able to save two hundred dollars. For the time factor, you could add 'every month'. If you want to be more precise you could add that it must go into a separate account by the 7th of each month. It is a good incentive to open an account specifically for your savings.

That type of stepping stone is probably too easily achievable and not a real challenge. You can keep saving the two hundred dollars, but try and add another. Perhaps you want to buy a home while the foreclosure deals are still available. So you want to have a bigger push.

The experts (!) say that you have at least a year for this type of opportunity - most feel it will go well into 2009.You could have an additional stepping stone of planning to work for the summer, while there are more casual jobs around.

Most of us will automatically fit the goal into our lifestyle, for instance, we will not plan to earn extra cash offering lessons in piano, if we can't read a word of music etc!

When you have drawn up a schedule it may look something like this:

Measurable: I know I can save $200.00 per month.

Challenging yet achievable: I am going to look for a summer job in 08 and 09 and save an extra $200.00 a month.

Precise: I will have funds automatically transferred to a new savings account by the 7th of each month.

Time specific: I will have $4,200 accrued by saving this way.

Lifestyle: I will advertise to baby sit on weekends for extra savings and put it into the savings account.

If you need more incentive, draw up a monthly chart and draw a red line through every successful 'save"! And here's a sneaky thought: sometimes when parents see kids trying so hard, they pitch in a little extra for Christmas and birthdays - so don't keep your savings plan a secret!!

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

So...You Think You Have Your Home Staged

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

So, your house is on the market, and once again the figures have just been released showing that prices are down... down... down - but don't go down with them. Instead, get active and bring yourself up, up, up by doing something practical and truly helpful in the marketing process: home-stage. No, I mean really home stage not a half hearted attempt!

It is bad luck if you have to sell your house now, when figures have dropped another couple of percentage points, but there are others out there who are also on the move and want to buy your house - if their attention is drawn to it.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the prices are reported to show a national average of being 15.5% lower than this time last year. However, your area may be above or below this, so take your realtor's advice about a realistic asking price. He or she will also have some tips for home-staging but these will get you going.

How to get your home noticed - that is the first key to selling it so the home staging must start on the exterior; more on that later. The second key is the viewing and this is where the home staging really comes into play. Prospective home buyers want to enter your home and see it looking like a show-home for a new housing development. In other words, it has no clutter and no personal affects showing; this way they can imagine their own effects in the home and begin to picture themselves in it.

The large photograph of Fido above the fireplace will be a hindrance, not an asset. Perhaps they are allergic to dogs and it will invoke a bad memory - get rid of it! And while you are in the living room, take away the CDs, the books, the ornaments, the rattan waste bin, the cat's toys, the magazines under the coffee table, the grand-daughter's photo, the crochet behind the armchair, the ash tray, the spare rug and all those plants catching the sun on the window sill!

If you are still reading at this point..... then here's some more expert advice: hire a storage for $20 a month and pre-pack some boxes prior to moving. Most of us could fill one box with our kids school paintings and fridge magnets!

The fridge, the counter tops and the kitchen floor must all be bare! Bare is what house buyers want to see- it makes a kitchen look big and spacious and as if they could concoct a cordon bleu meal in it.

The first thing that anyone will notice when entering a home is ...smell. Be sure it is fresh and clean and pleasant. Use a plug-in air freshener; if you have a pet use two or three plug-ins! Also fling open the windows for real fresh air, and try the corny old trick of buns or cookies baking in the oven.

It is sometimes the case that stoves and furnaces give off a smell of smoke when they are first lit, if so - do not use them; instead turn on the central heating. Thoroughly clean the furnace and sparkle it with a special fire black product from the local stove store.

Light is a bonus in a home so clean all your windows, and your lampshades and try putting a higher wattage bulb in all your light fixtures, especially the hallways. For a cozy ambience, put a pink bulb in one or two living room lamps, but ensure that this gives a warm atmosphere and not just a dim room.

Bedrooms must be treated in the same way, at least the master bedroom anyway. Every day put all the shampoo bottles, creams, toothbrushes and used towels out of sight. Strive daily for the clutter-free look, bare bath tub edges and bare counter-top surfaces.

If you can possibly manage it, a new coat of paint has been said to increase the value of a home by 700% of the price of the paint job! Obviously that clean untouched look counts for a lot with a prospective buyer.

Finally, the exterior: yes, yes, you know the routine - everything out of sight: bikes, skates, garbage bins, recycle cans and even the car as it hides the nice view of your garage. A good realtor knows to take the photo when the sun is shining on the house, and to take the interior photos when the sun shines into the rooms, many people love sunshine in the home. Buy a few potted plants and place one each side of the front door. Group a few in the front yard.

Trim your lawn so that it is short and keep it green, also 'edge' the paths into nice, defined lines that will photograph well. Ensure that your drapes are tidy in the photographs. Hose down the paths if they are pretty cobblestones to make their color notice more in the photo. Now, sit back and prepare for the rush.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Breaking News - A No-Glitch Switch

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Imagine being able to move all your furniture around without having to worry about obstructing the light switches - because the light switches can just be moved at random!

Imagine being able to switch all the lights on in your house just as you approach your own driveway - from a remote control in the car!

Imagine being able to raise or lower the intensity of any light bulb in the house - saving energy costs and light bulb costs!

These are just some of the available options with the remote controlled lighting system that is just being introduced into North America. Switches are not attached to their corresponding lights by wire, and even batteries are not used in this system.

The remote control handsets which operate all of the switches individually (or all at once) are connected to a system that is fueled by harvesting its own energy. This new technique responds to radio signals which can span as far as 300 feet. One of the big conveniences of this system is that the light 'switches' can be attached - and unattached - to any surface.

The manufacturer, Verve Living Systems, boasts that they can be pinned, screwed or taped to all surfaces, including concrete, glass and brick. This means that little children do not need a visit from mum to put off the light, and any wheelchair bound residents will have a light switch well within their reach. Power cuts will not affect the programming of your remote control as it has a non-volatile memory.

The Verve Living Systems light switches will also dim or raise fluorescent strip lighting (of course, with all these bulbs, you must first buy the bulbs or fluorescent strips with dimming capabilities). According to the manufacturers, dimming a light bulb by 20% may not even be noticeable, but the cost of powering that dimmed light bulb will be 10% less.

Verve lights switches can be utilized for your whole house needs and this also extends into the yard. If you plan to have all your pathways lit up or wish to string fairy lights under the roof eaves, they can all be accessed by the remote and you can light up your own fairy tale house as you approach it!

On a more practical note, if you plan to have a new home built, you could request this lighting system and save yourself and the builder some money and inconvenience.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Time's Right For Selling Your Denver Home

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Amid reports of a new nation-wide mandatory registration for financiers - which may make mortgages more difficult to get - comes the great news that Denver realty is up again! These two pieces of news together mean that sooner (rather than later) would be a good time to list your Denver house - while mortgages are still easy to find.

If mandatory registration of mortgage 'originators' comes in, then the ordinary man in the street will have his fingerprints on file if his job is in originating mortgage financing! This is one of the clauses in the bill coming before the legislature this July. Its aim is to deflect any further mortgage crises such as we have seen in the last two years.

The thought of new licensing laws has caused a flurry of activity on the mortgage markets, and right now it is not so difficult to find financing. It is also a good time to list your home in Denver as the local market is on the increase.

According to a nation-wide report that has been published by Real-Time Housing Market in July 2008, the last several weeks saw a six point five per cent increase in Denver house prices. Perhaps sunny days and longer evenings make home ownership seem much more enjoyable than renting?

Summer always makes a home look so much more expansive. It seems like you are getting so much more for your buck! The deck and back yard are suddenly part of the living quarters, instead of being hidden under three feet of snow!

If you are planning to list your home, play up on this outdoor bonus and create a deck that looks welcoming. Any expensive purchases that you make in rattan furniture or potted palms and shrubs can always be taken with you to your next home.

Bushy bamboo plants that are over six feet tall can be bought for a reasonable price; they can be kept in their pots which means they can be moved around. This height can offer a cozier backdrop than plain fencing; they will enhance your deck or patio, and the foliage will provide a feeling of seclusion and privacy.

Another luxurious touch in the yard (or even on the front of the house) is an awning. A large awning of say ten foot by eight foot can be very inexpensive at around $300 and will not only offer shade to sit out in, but the awning will also keep your home cooler.

If they are rolled out before the sun lands on the glass of your windows (and heats it up), they will help to keep your home cooler. Unlike the canvas pagoda sun shelter, they will allow the breeze to blow through the sides and keep you cooler.

If you have created a deck that adds ambiance to your property, make sure that get your real estate agent to photograph it to its best advantage.

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for meet their Denver real estate agents, property listings, and information about their service areas.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Snowbirds - Planning The Maiden Flight.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

So retirement looms and the idea of being housebound in the winter for six months is not a pretty thought. And of course, you have thought about all those people who just pack up and flee as the first snow flake flutters down and you have wondered....

How do they do it? Do they like it? How did they take the plunge? How could I take the plunge - if I wanted to, of course!

Well, providing you own your own home, the quick answers are: clever financing, wise lifestyle choices, being adventurous, read on....

The answer to, 'how do they do it?', will be left until later, because first you have to make sure that you WANT to do it! Well, the best way to find out is to tag along with a friend who does it, but obviously many of us do not have anyone available.

If you have a car or an RV, you could plan a tour of the 'Snowbird States' and see which appeals to you the most. These states are generally accepted to be Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Florida and South Carolina. If you have a car, you will find many bed and breakfast spots to overnight, as well as hotels.

If you don't want the expense of this, the Internet will give you an overload of information (start with Snowbirdhelper.com) and you can pick out one place and fly there. Or if you are driving, you can pick out a few places fairly close to each other and have a research vacation.

The question, 'do they like it?', will probably be answered by how much research is done by each 'wannabe snowbirder' to track down the environment that is perfect for them. You may love the idea of spending winter in a warm place, but may forget that you need to match your lifestyle choices to that place.

Do you want solitude and peace or do you want dancing and a social life or do you want recreational fun, stimulating learning opportunities or endless golf? Ask yourself some serious questions before you contact a real estate agent who knows the answers!

For instance, you may want to find a coastal area and buy a place on the beach, or you may wish track a resort where you can park an RV or you may want to buy a small cabin high in the mountains or down in the desert canyons.

If you are planning to buy a property, most people browse the Internet for an idea on prices; a good real estate agent in the area of your choice can advise you about regional concerns and advantages, amenities and climate. He or she will also be able to email you details of homes before you arrive.

If you are planning to rent or buy or bring your own RV to a resort, then you can find much of the resort information on the Internet.

Let's suppose you have a place in mind: next is the financing. This can be easy for those lucky people who have spent all their life paying off the mortgage. The answer is a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage will let you give yourself a loan without making any payments back. It is like a line of credit that is secured by your original home.

With this money you can buy a property for cash, which puts you in an excellent bargaining position. If you leave the line of credit on your original home for the rest of your life, the bank will pay it off and give the balance of the house to the 'estate' (along with your paid-up snowbird home).

You may even choose the option of renting your home for part of the winter to help to pay down your reverse mortgage. Some snowbirders find that they want to spend Christmas with the family, so do not leave until January 1st each year. In this case, you could rent your home out from October to December.

But either way, you can now join that happy bunch of people who never get a wheezy cough or feel an arthritic twinge - because you can choose to always be in the warm!

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for details about their services, property listings, and information about their service areas, like Parker real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

More Space in Your Home = More Space in Your Mind

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Whether you're prepping your home for a sale, or you simply desire to create a better "flow" throughout your space, there is true merit in exploring the principles of Zen philosophy as applied to the design of your home and how you live within it.

- De-clutter Your Life

On a material level begin by de-cluttering your home. You'll be amazed at how much inner peace and joy floods in to you when you look into your own mindfully created, de-cluttered space. Here are some valuable tips:

-Begin with Baby Zen Steps

- Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to organize and de-clutter huge projects like big closets of whole rooms at once. Give yourself a time limit, and do your de-cluttering in chunks. Begin with 20 minutes to work on one small area. You'll discover that you'll learn from the smaller projects and you'll be able to able that first han d de-cluttering expertise to your larger projects as you gradually progress. Zen is about enjoying the process, so these task should bring you a sense of joy as you go through them.

- But... Be a Zen Ninja!

Toss, toss, toss ( or better yet recycle!) - and at all costs. You must be merciless in the zen art of de-cluttering your life. Part of the challenge in this is a personal and spiritual one. You'll need to let go of things, and live purely and simply with only the most important things in your life. So, if you used it once last year- not good enough- into the by-by bin it goes. Same goes for if you have great intentions to use it in the future but have not yet. You must honestly evaluate the true worth that all this " stuff" hold in your life. Guaranteed, this process will get easier as you move along and in the future you'll stop accumulating as much.

A "Maybe" Box is Okay.

Alright... if you're finding the straight up purging process too challenging, then putting "things" in a purgatorial "maybe" box to await decisions on their fate, is acceptable. But you must set a date by which you will decide what to do with them. If you let them go, don't worry, "things" will forgive quite easily- you'll always have the memories associated with them. No one can take those away. Better to er on the side of judiciousness, than to continue hanging onto to stuff.

Create a Method to Stop Future Madness

Once you pared everything down- you now have to look at how you're living and organizing your life and decide to make some changes. Imagine some concrete systems of organization that'll help you be consistent with your future de-cluttering habits.

Everything in Its Place

This idea can help you with your future organizing- every "thing" of importance should have its own "home" within your home. You then have to be consistent about putting that "thing" back "home"- every time.

Quality over Quantity

Before you begin de-cluttering and simplifying, take a look at the larger picture and select what are your top priority projects. It's better to begin the transformation of your habits from a clear and organized state of mind. If it's easier for you, you can start by making a master list of "things to do", and then go over that list and pare down to the essentials. Similar to the process of clearing un-needed stuff from your life, sometimes it's easier to do this in stages.

Once you've made some progress, its important to celebrate your achievements. Relax and take in the new found space you've created in your home and in your peace of mind. Enjoy this process of "editing" your life down to the most important essentials. Guaranteed, cultivating such habits in your household with have a great impact on the quality of the time you spend there.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Your First Home: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The experience of purchasing your first home can be overwhelming. But it doesn't need to be. There are certain valuable insights that'll help you along the way, and ensure that you are in charge of your experience. Of course a great realtor can help you immensely, but as with anything in life you should know as much as possible, so you can make informed decisions that reflect your needs and desires.

As you begin your search, you'll really want to hone in one your parameters: what do you want in a home. You'll want to be clear about what type of home you want, what particular style, numbers of bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, what sort of neighborhood you'd like to be in, what price range your looking at and what condition you require the home to be in. By knowing before hand what your personal parameters are, your realtor will be able to refine the process, and send you internet listings that truly suit your needs. From here, you'll hopefully have a good number of suitable homes to go take a look at. There's nothing worse than wasting your time looking at homes that just don't suit your needs. So, work to refine your search ahead of time.

Many first time home buyers want to know exactly how many homes they should look at before purchasing. Unfortunately, this is not an exact science, and you shouldn't listen to anyone who tells you, you must look at many houses, or that you should never purchase the first house you look at. It all comes back to really knowing what you want. If you do, you may find the process of looking easier. But again, it depends on what the market is doing at the time, and in the location you're looking. The best advice in this regard is to look at as many houses as you need to. Don't overwhelm your self on a daily basis by looking at too many houses at once. Plan a viewing schedule that suits your energy levels and schedule.

On this note, a great way to help you with your home search is to keep a journal while house hunting. In it list any unusual features, design elements and colors. Take note of what surrounds the house- what kind of lot it's on, and what's next door. Jot down notes about the neighborhood and what is around in terms of parks, schools, and any other noticeable construction. At the end of each viewing, rate the home an a scale of 1-10. Also, if you can, take along a digital camera so you can photo document aspects ( both good and bad) that you'd like to remember about each property.

It's important once you've narrowed down your search, to go back and view your top ranked properties a second time. By this point, you'll know which are the top few that you'd consider. By going back for a second visit you'll be able be even more discerning with your search.

In terms of making the final selection, your realtor should be there to inform you of any defects or potential faults he or she sees in the house, but essentially this decision should be all yours. And by this point, you can feel confident to follow your intuition and go with the house that fits your parameters and also just screams, "pick me!"

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The Affinity Group is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit JakeMarsh.com for meet their Denver real estate agents, property listings, and information about their service areas.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com