Looking at the rain pouring down outside my office window, I thought it was more than appropriate to write why I think buying a home in the winter is ideal.
10 Reasons to Buy in the winter
1.Motivated sellers. This doesn’t necesaarrily mean they’re desperate. It means they are just as ready to sell as you are ready to buy. This can bring great results for both parties.
2. Low interest rates. I don't think I need to explain this one.
3. Less buyer competition. Cold temps can scare away some buyers. And the holidays keep people busy with vacations and family get togethers. This can be great news especially if you are looking at competitive areas or inexpensive foreclosures.
4. Specialized attention from your lender. Your lender should always be there to answer questions and make you feel comfortable. However, fewer buyers in the market can free up some of your lender’s time. This can translate into even more specialized attention to your needs.
5. Relaxing in spring and summer. While other buyers are searching and moving, you can be kicking up your feet in your new home.
6. Standing inventory. There is good inventory on the market in the winter.
7. Home for the holidays. You can be in a NEW home for the holidays.
8. Discount on mover. A lot of movers are in their slow season so you'll most likely get a great deal from a moving company.
9. Get your tax deduction! One more huge write off before the end of the year will be great when filing your taxes.
10. Houses are at their 'worst' in the winter. With all the rain, snow, and cold, houses typically are at their worst in the winter. It is smart to see your investment at it's worse before you buy it. Rain in the crawl space? Is the roof leaking? Is the house staying warm?
It really is a great time to invest in real estate. Especially in the Pacific Northwest. I can customize an investment package just for you to get your search going. Call, text, or email me today!
Jessica Chase, City Realty Inc, 360-870-0619, chasejessica@comcast.net, www.jessicachase.com
10.24.2011
Get Ready for Winter
As we get colder nights and mornings, it is a good time to get your home ready for the winter.
One important thing to do is check your insulation in your attic and crawl space. It can save you hundreds on your electricity bill and even give your home an edge when selling it.
You can call your local power and energy company and ask them for a referral. Then you will get a discount on your next bill!
You should also check that your heater and hot water tank is insulated. Directions on how to do this information can be found on the web.
Remember to protect your most valuable investment and take good care of it this winter!
One important thing to do is check your insulation in your attic and crawl space. It can save you hundreds on your electricity bill and even give your home an edge when selling it.
You can call your local power and energy company and ask them for a referral. Then you will get a discount on your next bill!
You should also check that your heater and hot water tank is insulated. Directions on how to do this information can be found on the web.
Remember to protect your most valuable investment and take good care of it this winter!
Picture Time!
It is so important when you go to sell your home to have pictures of your home in all the seasons. So as the leaves start to fall, take an autumn picture of your home! Keep it and when your ready to sell, call me and we'll use them in our marketing.
10.13.2011
Green Remodeling!
6 Green Kitchen Remodeling Tips
Published: November 6, 2010
Turn your kitchen remodel bright green with these six resource-conserving tips.
1. Salvage nontraditional items for new kitchen storage.
Reuse is the gold standard for green remodeling, and a little creativity goes a long way. Banks of old school lockers or lab cabinets, for example, are a hot salvage item for retro-flavored kitchen storage.
2. Reuse stuff from your old kitchen.
Take a hard look to see if there are things you can keep—appliances, cabinets, hardware, faucets, and sinks are all candidates for reuse or refurb rather than replacement. A caveat: Don't keep any faucet purchased before 1997, because it's likely to contain some lead. And dispense with any appliances more than 10 years old. Energy Star appliances are leaps and bounds ahead of their ancestors in terms of energy-efficiency.3. Install an under-the-counter water purifier.
These have about 10 times the filtering capacity of a faucet-mounted purifier. A model with a top-quality activated carbon filter will remove heavy metals, bacteria, and pesticides—not to mention odors and bad tastes. Expect to pay $150 to $200 for an activated charcoal purifier with a replaceable cartridge, which is peanuts compared with the total remodel and easy to do while the project is under way.4. Don't forget energy-efficient lighting.
Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps use up to 75% less energy than comparable incandescent lamps. In fact, according to EnergyStar.gov, a single CFL bulb will save $30 to $40 during its expected lifespan of 10,000 hours. But make sure you keep task areas well-lit: Consider efficient halogen and LED lighting sources anywhere you're planning to chop veggies or measure ingredients. Or plan a skylight overhead--the sun's still free.5. Make recycling easy.
Most cabinet manufacturers offer options for lower cabinets that include pull-out recycling bins to keep contents organized and out of sight. You can even get surface-mounted bins to go underneath holes in countertops. Just sweep food scraps right in.6. Buy counter-depth Energy Star refrigerator instead of a standard-depth model.
Counter-depth fridges fit flush with cabinet fronts instead of jutting out five or six inches into the kitchen. It's a way to carve out extra floor space, get a sleek built-in look, and save energy, since you’re cooling less space. And an Energy Star option adds efficiency over older models. You likely won't even notice the slight difference in capacity, although you'll pay a few hundred dollars more.Make your decision up front, though, because counter-depth appliances often aren't standard width. You'll need to plan your cabinets accordingly.
And by the way—models featuring the freezer on top use 10% to 25% less energy than a same-sized model with a side-by-side configuration.
Karin Beuerlein contributed to this article.
for more info see our website!
10.10.2011
7.27.2011
Calling all Kids!
Looking for something for your kids to do this summer? VBS at River Ridge Covenant Church is August 1-5, 9-12noon and it’s FREE.
See https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/rrcc/gpgs/Home.aspx for more information!
7.19.2011
Why Do People Actually Buy a Home?
It seems that every time we talk about real estate today the conversation immediately goes to the financial aspects of buying a home. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? Should I wait to try and get a ‘better buy’? Should I wait until I can get a ‘steal’?
The odd thing about all these questions is that survey after survey keeps telling us that price is not the reason families actually buy a home. When money is considered at all, it is in light of not paying rent to a landlord. Let’s look at two recent surveys as examples:
National Housing Survey
The top five reasons given in the survey for buying a home, in order, are:
• It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education
• You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
• It allows you to have more space for your family
• It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)
• Paying rent is not a good investment
The Myers Research and Strategic Services Survey
The top five reasons given in the survey for buying a home, in order, are:
• Home ownership provides a stable and safe environment for children and other family members
• Home ownership means the money you spend on housing goes towards building equity, rather than to a landlord
• Home ownership creates the opportunity to pay off a mortgage and own your home by the time you retire
• Home ownership creates the opportunity to live in a neighborhood that you enjoy
• Home ownership allows you the right to decorate, modify and renovate your home as you see fit
Bottom Line
Price dominates conversation when we talk about buying a home. However, when it comes down to it, we actually buy for the same reasons our parents and grandparents did – we want a better lifestyle for ourselves and our families.
Thank you,
Chris Johns
Mortgage One NW, LLC
chris@mortgage1nw.com
(360) 870-4253 cell
(360) 878-8126 fax
WA Lic #: 85440
The odd thing about all these questions is that survey after survey keeps telling us that price is not the reason families actually buy a home. When money is considered at all, it is in light of not paying rent to a landlord. Let’s look at two recent surveys as examples:
National Housing Survey
The top five reasons given in the survey for buying a home, in order, are:
• It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education
• You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
• It allows you to have more space for your family
• It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)
• Paying rent is not a good investment
The Myers Research and Strategic Services Survey
The top five reasons given in the survey for buying a home, in order, are:
• Home ownership provides a stable and safe environment for children and other family members
• Home ownership means the money you spend on housing goes towards building equity, rather than to a landlord
• Home ownership creates the opportunity to pay off a mortgage and own your home by the time you retire
• Home ownership creates the opportunity to live in a neighborhood that you enjoy
• Home ownership allows you the right to decorate, modify and renovate your home as you see fit
Bottom Line
Price dominates conversation when we talk about buying a home. However, when it comes down to it, we actually buy for the same reasons our parents and grandparents did – we want a better lifestyle for ourselves and our families.
Thank you,
Chris Johns
Mortgage One NW, LLC
chris@mortgage1nw.com
(360) 870-4253 cell
(360) 878-8126 fax
WA Lic #: 85440
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