I can see clearly now… Washing your outdoor windows

How fun is it to wash those outdoor windows? Yeah, not so much, but it’s a gorgeous time of year and you don’t want to miss any of the summertime so if you are so inclined to give them a little elbow grease…. make sure you are cleaning them the right way. Here’s a quick article with good suggestions on how to save some time and effort to get those windows super sparkly.

How to Wash Outdoor Windows

Cont

Most people wash their outdoor windows at least once a year and sometimes more often. Outdoor windows should be washed before installing window screens or painting. Cleaning outdoor windows is quite a chore, but here are a few tips that can make the job much quicker and easier.

Things You'll Need:

•                Hose

•                Bucket with warm water and soap solution of your choice

•                Rough textured sponge for cleaning

•                Squeegee

•                Paper towels or cotton rags for drying that don't leave lint

Instructions

. Step 1
 - Hose off the loose dirt from the windows using gentle pressure on the hose. By rinsing off the loose dirt you won't scratch the windows as you clean them.

. Step 2 - 
Mix the cleaning solution with the warm water. Use dishwashing liquid with water for lightly soiled windows. Add vinegar or ammonia for windows with heavier soil. Add cornstarch to get windows shiny clean. Alcohol added not only helps clean windows with less streaking, but helps outdoor windows dry quickly.

. Step 3 - 
Wet the sponge with the solution and clean the windows, using a horizontal cleaning motion. If you clean the interior windows vertically, then clean the outdoor windows horizontally; you'll be able to tell which side of the window has streaks. After you've made the initial pass, clean the sponge and wipe the windows again if necessary.

. Step 4
 - Swipe the window with the Squeegee, starting at the top. Place the Squeegee at the top left corner of the window and draw it horizontally across the window. When you've reached the end of the first swipe, wipe the Squeegee blade on a cloth to remove excess drips. Place the Squeegee on the left side of the window, overlap the first swipe, and pull to the right side of the window. Continue using the Squeegee by pulling it horizontally and cleaning it at the end of each swipe.

. Step 5 - 
Dry the excess moisture from the outdoor window by using a stiff type of paper towel or a cotton cloth. The stiff type of paper towel leaves less lint on the window. A soft cotton rag helps clean the streaks and any marks left by the Squeegee.

Tips & Warnings

Never wash outdoor windows in direct sunlight because they will streak.

Work quickly when drying outdoor windows to eliminate streaks.

Read more: How to Wash Outdoor Windows | eHow.com 

Visit our website for homes for sale with squeaky clean windows! 

What are you doing for the Fourth?

How do you celebrate the Fourth of July? Tell us your best traditions by commenting in our blog below. We’re giving a way a $20 gift card to Planks at 4022 Broadway (you can see the fireworks from there) to one of our lucky readers. Be sure to leave your email so we can contact you if you win! We’ll be taking comments on our blog as entries through Thursday.

In case you’re scratching your head because you don’t have a yearly tradition, here’s one celebration to get you started. We’re sure you don’t want to miss:

Blast at Beulah


July 3, 2010, 
Grove City will host one of central Ohio's most impressive Independence Day celebrations beginning at 5:30 p.m. Experience plenty of family fun including live entertainment. Fireworks display at 10 p.m. Children's activities will be available from 6-9:30 p.m. Walk-in admission is free, but there is a $5 fee to park in the Beulah parking lot. For more information, call Grove City Parks and Recreation at (614) 277-3050. Rain date is Sunday, July 4. 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Beulah Park.

Who’s ready for some football?

If waiting until fall is torture for the pigskin lover in your family, good news Columbus fans! Grab your face paint, load up your munchies, grab your lawn chairs and get ready. You can get your fix with a Columbus Marauders NPSFL Division II Championship Game next weekend.

The Marauders are part of the National Public Safety Football league which is a union of public safety agency football teams from throughout the United States. The teams are comprised of first responders: our boys in blue, with their brothers the firefighters, EMT, military and detention personnel. They’ve come together to promote a positive self-image to the public by raising fund for charity through spirited competition. These hearty guys risk their lives to keep us safe everyday, but when it comes to the playing field, don’t even think they let off the gas a tiny bit, “(i.e., “spirited). Their grit runs deep, and they’re ready to rumble in their last game of the season – which you have the opportunity to attend. 

Come out on June 26^th to cheer on our Columbus Marauders as they play against the Atlanta Defenders at 6 p.m. at World Harvest Prep. All gate sales will benefit Get Behind The Badge, a Central Ohio Charity which gives financial aid to the families of police officers and firefighters killed or critically injured in the line of duty.

Tailgating begins at 3 p.m. T-shirts are available  - check out their website or follow them on facebook for more details.

Find the Parrett Group wearing their foam fingers by the grill. Go Marauders! 

Be sure to subscribe to our blog! Visit our website to see our great homes for sale.

Keep Cool This Summer and Save Money Too

No one likes to sweat through the summer, but least of all do we like those high electricity bills that go with running the AC 24/7. We’d rather put that money towards some ski-do’s or a great vacation rather than to Mr. Utility Company each month. Keeping that in mind, here’s a fantastic article from SMART MONEY Magazine, “13 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill.” We think there are some great tips that you can do today to maximize your savings in your home for yourself and future owners.

Ah, but we wouldn’t leave you with just the tease. Let’s DO something about it! Clear your weekend schedule and head down to Home Depot for their next series of Improver Club Workshops. This weekend you can start chipping away at that electric bill by installing a programmable thermostat AND installing a ceiling fan. No need to hire a professional when you can do it yourself! Here are the details:

Home Depot in Grove City is located at 1680 Stringtown Road, or use the website to find a store closest to you.

Installing a Programmable Thermostat – Saturday, June 12th, 19th, and 26th at 1 p.m.

Installing a Ceiling Fan – Sunday, June 13th, 20th, and 27th at 1 p.m.

Be sure to call Home Depot at 614.539.4554 or go online to register for your spot in these free workshops.

It Sells A Home

What sells a home these days? Kitchens and bathrooms. If there’s one major remodel you are looking at tackling before selling your home, focus your attention there. We love all the cool things we’re seeing in the both those areas these days, but the counter tops in kitchens are really wowing us. We found this great summary article on the latest trends, the differences between the materials and the pros and cons between each. We thought we’d share it with you:

http://interiordec.about.com/od/kitchencounters/tp/tp_countertops.htm


Top 10 Kitchen Countertops
From Coral Nafie, former About.com Guide

There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our list of top picks gives the pros and cons of the top 10 choices so that you can make an educated choice when you remodel your kitchen. Follow the links to more information about each countertop material.

1. Granite Counters

Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. As the use of granite becomes more widespread, the price comes down. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.


Pros: holds up to heat; comes in a range of almost 3000 colors; looks permanent and substantial; will last a lifetime; new sealers are almost maintenance-free; 2nd highest hardness rating after diamonds; has a high value to home buyers.

Cons: expensive, but becoming more affordable; requires some maintenance; some stones absorbs stains if not sealed; knives can become dull if you cut on it; can crack if stressed or improperly installed.

More Info

(Psst – Parrett Group secret… we even know a company who can put a thinner layer of granite over top of your existing counter top. We have their info if you’re interested…)


2. Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is composed of 93% quartz particles. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Some brands on the market include DuPont Zodiaq®, LG Viatera®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone®.

Pros: Resistant to stain and acid; easy care.

Cons: Expensive.

More Info


3. Solid Surface

Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.

Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.

Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.

More Info


4. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it's installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.

Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.

Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.

More Info


5. Laminates

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.

Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.

Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seams show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.

More Info


6. Wood or Butcher Block

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.

Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.

Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer's instructions.

More Info


7. Stainless Steel Counters

For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they're constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.

Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean.

Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can't cut on it.

More Info


8. Soapstone Counters

Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.

Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant.

Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.

More Info


9. Marble

Because of its extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining.

Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.

Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.

More Info



10. Concrete Counters

If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they're often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people's budget.

Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.

Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.


More Info

Visit our website to see the great kitchens in our homes for sale: www.theparrettgroup.com

This bug can be cured

There’s one bug that everyone gets in the spring and that’s the cleaning bug. Clean out the closets, the garage, the attic, the basement…. And what do you do with ALL that stuff? After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! If eBay is too daunting and you haven’t carted it off to your favorite charity yet, you might be waiting for the perfect weekend for a garage sale. If that’s the case, we’ve got a few resources for you:


The “Yard Sale Queen” has an entire website dedicated to how to have a successful sale:


http://www.yardsalequeen.com/yardsale.htm


Or… maybe you and your neighbors want to band together and have a giant garage sale? Let the Parrett Group help you! We’ll help you promote it and even set up a webpage to help you and your neighbors organize it. Just let us know what neighborhood you are in and the details you have so far.


Here are some additional tips on how to organize that Grove City community garage sale:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/community-garage-sale


(Just keep in mind that if you happen to have a home owners association, there may be bylaws preventing you from having a sale at your home. Double check to make sure that you are not in violation of your neighborhood rules first!)


Maybe your toss-aways are a little too nice to sell on the corner? Here are some tips on how to sell your good stuff through a consignment store:


http://www.ehow.com/how_2302292_sell-items-consignment-shops.html


Once you’re done, breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy all your fresh new space! And if you’re preparing to sell your home, you’ve done yourself a HUGE favor and just made your house more attractive to buyers who won’t be distracted by all the extra clutter.


Visit our website for clutter free homes for sale: www.theparrettgroup.com

It’s getting HOT, HOT, HOT…

What better way to cut down on the AC bills and add some welcomed shade to your home than to plant some trees and plants in your yard. And not to mention curb appeal! What you plant today adds to the charm of your home as it matures and grows through the years.

But before you get dreamy-eyed with the visions of tire swings on oak trees and blankets of colored petunias, make sure you know how to plant those investments properly so that they stay healthy and grow strong. Here are some great pointers from Strader’s Garden Centers. You can visit one locally at 2625 W. London-Groveport Road in Grove City, or …5350 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220 for Hilliard or Upper Arlington.

Today, nursery and greenhouse plants can come in several ways. Burlped root ball, plastic containers, or bare root are all methods of supplying nursery plants depending on the size and type of the plant as well as the season. The following instructions are appropriate for balled and burlap (B&B) and container plantings, all the way from a little 2 inch geranium pot to a 20 foot maple tree.

Step 1 Measure twice, cut once. The planting hole size is one of the most important aspects of transplanting successfully, so before you get our your shovel, get out a tape measure. The hole should be at least twice as wide as the root ball and a little deeper than the root ball is tall. Ultimately, you want the top of the root ball to be level with the ground. With smaller plants, it is well and good to put the plant in the hole to check your progress while digging. With large trees this may not be possible, so get our your tape measure!

While digging, place soil in wheelbarrow or on tarp for easier mixing and backfilling. When the hole is dug to the correct width and depth, begin mixing new soil into the old soil. Add 1/3 new topsoil and 1/3 peat moss to 1/3 of the old soil (you will have old soil left over, think of a place to put it before digging, perhaps a low spot in the lawn or on the compost pile). Mix the soil thoroughly but carefully as peat moss tends to blow around. Adding a bit of water to the mixture can help this, but avoid adding too much because it will make the soil too heavy to backfill properly. Place some of this soil mix in the bottom of the hole so that when root ball is placed in the hole, the top of the ball will be about 1 inch above final grade. This procedure allows for settling of freshly dug soil. Before backfilling, make certain the planting level is correct.

Step 2 Placement and Preparing Root ball

If the plant is in a plastic container, remove the plant from the container and slice the root ball vertically 1 inch deep with a knife in 3 to 4 places. Firm the soil in the bottom of the hole and place plant in the hole. Be sure to take a good look at the plant to identify which side or face? of the plant is the nicest and orient that face in the direction that gets the most attention. Avoid pulling on any branches when adjusting the position of the plant, grip the plant by the root ball. (On larger trees, keep the orientation of the tree in mind before setting the tree in the hole as later adjustment may be difficult).

Only after the plant is in the hole and oriented correctly can you begin removing cord and burlap. All twine on the top of the root ball should be removed, especially around the trunk. The cloth burlap should be removed from around the trunk. Take care not to nick the trunk if using a knife to cut the twine and burlap. The excess cloth burlap can remain in the hole if tucked around the side of the root ball. After backfilling, no cloth burlap should remain exposed. On large trees or heavy root balls, a metal cage may be in place help keep the root ball intact. This should not be removed.

Step 3 Backfilling

Fill the hole halfway with soil. Press the soil in with hands. Tamp firmly, but not too firmly. The goal is not compaction but simply the elimination of air pockets. Add remaining soil to the top of the surrounding surface and tamp one last time. If the hole was dug to the proper depth, the soil will fill the sides around the root ball and come up to level ground. No soil should go on top of the root ball. This is one of the most common mistakes in planting. The only thing that should go on top of the root ball is organic mulch (wood chips, shredded bark).

Step 4 Watering

Plants should be watered gently but deeply immediately after planting. New plants should then be watered once every day for the first week, then twice a week through the remainder of the growing season. A thorough soaking at these intervals is far more effective than light and frequent waterings from sprinklers or irrigation systems. A good simple method is to place a hose without any attachments a few inches from the trunk. Water should flow at a very slow trickle as this will allow water to sink into the roots without running off. Allow water to flow for one hour depending on the size of the plant. Do not use a forceful stream of water as this can cause soil structure to break down and become hard-baked when dry.

http://www.straders.net/index.htm?page=nursery.htm

Visit our website to see all of our great homes for sale: www.theparrettgroup.com

Red, White and Paint

Memorial Day is just a few short days away and it seems as though if you’re staying in town, there’s an unwritten tradition amongst families to pick a room to paint during the long holiday. If that’s your rub, we’re right there with you knee deep in paint chips.



The Parrett Group loves a good wash of color to freshen up a room so we thought we’d share some resources that can help you plan ahead for your project. That way you’ll still have a little time left over to enjoy the brats on the grill.


Check out this great page from Sherwin Williams: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/painting_techniques/how_to_paint/interior/ They’ve got a virtual book on how to tackle that interior paint project. From planning to prep, painting to cleaning up.


But if you’re more the workshop kinda guy, you’re in luck. Head over to the Grove City Home Depot at 1680 Stringtown Road on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for their free Interior Paint Workshop. Learn about interior painting techniques band how to protect those places you don’t want to paint. They’ll show you innovations in paint and primer, tools and supplies that make painting easier and affordable, and ways to prep and repair walls. You can even learn how to create striped walls with paint.


We’re so there.

Visit our website at http://www.theparrettgroup.com/ to see all of our great homes for sale.

How to Give Your Neighbors Lawn Envy

You know what it’s like to drive through the neighborhood and you see “that” house on the street that has the perfect shade of green grass, that’s always full and lush and begs you to grab your picnic basket and spew out on it for an afternoon. Well, maybe not that extreme, but there’s always one guy in the strip who’s got the best grass around and you want it. Here’s how you too can be the lawn king of your street.



1) Choose the right grass. The right grass for your yard will depend on your climate, conditions, and soil. Talk to your nursery expert about the best choices. (In Grove City, we have a couple great nurseries to choose from: Straders 2625 W. London-Groveport Road, or Ehmann’s 6001 Lambert Road, Orient OH 43146 – among others) In general, cool-season grasses survive harsh winters but tend to suffer during summer months; warm-season grasses thrive in summer sun but go dormant during the winter--and turn brown in below-freezing temperatures.


2) Water appropriately. It's better to water deeply to encourage root growth instead of watering frequently. There are not hard-and-fast rules about how often to water. When the surface soil feels dry to the touch, it's time to water.

3) Fertilize. Apply a nitrogen fertilizer in late spring and summer and be sure to water it in thoroughly. Fertilize cool-season grasses throughout fall and spring. Again, ask your local nursery person about specific recommendations.

4) Mow properly. Don't let the grass grow too long; mow when it reaches about one third taller than its optimum height.

Courtesy of Toro Wheel Horse Tractors & Riding Mowers

Visit our website to see all our great homes for sale with green green lawns: http://www.theparrettgroup.com/

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Danny Yount for winning our first Parrett Group Blog Contest and a gift card to Cimi's Bistro! We asked, "What's a unique characteristic of your neighborhood, suburb or city that you would miss the most if you were to move?" and since we knew we'd get a slew of great answers (these appeared on our wordpress blog at http://theparrettgroup.wordpress.com) we chose a winner at random.


Congratulations to Danny! When are we going to lunch? Just kidding. Give Billy Wemlinger a call at (614) 273.7935 so we can get that gift card to you.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments and stay tuned for our next contest!

Thinking of Remodeling? You might have to get in line.

It’s no secret that The Parrett Group gets jazzed about remodeling projects so when we saw this article, it really got us talking. We have lots of homeowners asking us what small investments they can make in their property that will support big payoffs in the long run, and this WSJ article hits the nail on the head. (Pun intended). Be sure to read through to the end to see the chart of smaller projects that deliver a similar end result but are much easier on your wallet. We like that.



The New Rules of Remodeling

By M.P. Mcqueen


Tuesday, May 4, 2010

provided by The Wall Street Journal

You may have noticed the lines at home-improvement stores getting longer or heard the whirring of buzz saws in your neighborhood. After years of economic recession and housing-market malaise, people are starting to fix up their homes again.


According to an April 15 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, annual spending on remodeling is expected to accelerate this year, with nearly 5% growth over 2009. "This year could produce the first annual spending increase for the industry since 2006," the peak of the housing boom, says center director Nicolas P. Retsinas.


But the forces driving today's action couldn't be more different from those during the boom. Back then, people wanted to renovate their places so that they could trade up to bigger homes, or because their home equity was soaring and they wanted to reinvest some of the spoils.


Now, the opposite is happening: Many people who bought during the boom years are accepting the reality that they won't soon be swapping up for a sybaritic spread. Their mortgages may remain above water, but after years of falling home prices, their equity is so low that the transaction costs of buying a new house would leave little for a down payment.


In short, they are stuck.


"People have seen their down payments kind of wiped out," says Harvard economist Jeremy Stein. "They are locked into their house. They can't really move, even if they thought the other house was cheap and a good deal."


So these people are making their homes more comfortable for a longer-than-expected stay. Setting aside old calculations of how much a particular improvement will add to resale value, they are making smaller tweaks that can make a big difference in livability. You might call it "psychological return on investment."


Nowadays, say real-estate agents and contractors, smaller projects like updating kitchens and baths and humble attic-bedroom conversions are more popular, while two-story master suites and $100,000 kitchen blowouts are decidedly out of fashion. Hidden improvements like insulation also are on the rise, as people realize they won't be able to pass on their drafts, leaks and other problems to the next guy. Tax credits that expire in 2010 are enticing people to make energy improvements, too.


One of the most cost-effective improvements, say contractors, is removing a wall to create an open kitchen-dining area. The project "makes the kitchen feel bigger and the kitchen and dining room more usable," says Sarah Susanka, an architect and author of "The Not So Big House" book series. "It's such a simple thing to do." It can cost as little as a couple of thousand dollars, according to David Merrick, a home remodeler in Kensington, Md., but can run much higher if plumbing and electrical work are involved.


A surprising number of people fall into the category of being above water on their mortgage but anchored to their property. According to First American Core Logic, at least 24.5 million borrowers in the U.S. have home equity of less than 25%, and of those, 13.2 million are above water. Considering the 9% in commissions and fees that typically come with buying and selling a house, as well as the typical 20% down payment on the new one, it is easy to see why people aren't house-hopping like before.


This applies even to affluent professionals. Paul Sorbera, an executive recruiter in Greenwich, Conn., is seeing it firsthand among his clients. He says many financial-services executives "bought $2 million homes in the good times and have $1.3 million houses now because of the price decline. They have some money in the bank and can afford their current living standard, but moving is very impractical for them."


Economists, whose models often assume the rationality of hypothetical consumers, say remodeling makes sense for such people. "If they don't have a lot of equity in their houses and can't move, they should have a propensity to improve rather than move," says Richard K. Green, director of the University of Southern California's Lusk Center for Real Estate. "When you renovate, you save a lot of transaction costs."

Web sites such as Remodelormove.com offer calculators to help consumers make the decision.


Kate Anderson, 42 years old, of Sunnyvale, Calif., a technical writer and homemaker, and her husband, Scott, 43, a vice president at Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ, News), say they considered buying a larger place to accommodate their growing children, a daughter, 10, and son, 8. But they surmised that buying and selling now would be too expensive. "We didn't think it was worth the whole sale purchase expense … just to get a few extra square feet," Mrs. Anderson says.


Instead, they opted to fix up their 1950s-era tract home, worth an estimated $750,000. Most houses in their neighborhood with new kitchens and baths sell for up to $850,000, she says. While their home "is a little squished," they chose to "gradually improve it," she says.


In December, the Andersons remodeled their kitchen, putting in hardwood floors, cherry cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, ripping out a closet and expanding a doorway to improve the flow. They also installed new incandescent ceiling lights and under-cabinet fixtures, which Mrs. Anderson says she especially loves.


Because they made no major structural changes, they kept the cost to about $50,000, a bargain in the pricey Silicon Valley market. It wasn't easy to hew to that budget, though; the couple decided to ditch a garden window over the sink and self-closing drawers, which would have added several thousand dollars to the cost.


Even in the ever-grander suburbs outside Washington, people are thinking smaller. A few years ago, Mr. Merrick, the contractor, says, more people were doing two-story additions, and most people who remodeled kitchens made them larger. Now, "four of the last six kitchens I did, the footprint stayed exactly the same," he says.


Home-improvement retailers are seeing a clear trend toward smaller renovations. Craig Menear, executive vice president of merchandising at Home Depot (NYSE: HD, News), says there has been strength recently in projects involving simple décor updates such as ceramic tile, interior paint, faucets and bath fixtures. At Lowe's (NYSE: LOW, News), customers were drawn to products to update flooring, cabinetry and countertops during the last few months of 2009, the most recent period for which data are available, spokeswoman Maureen Rich says.


Part of the reason, of course, is money. With home prices slumping, there is less equity for homeowners to tap. An April 20 survey by American Express (NYSE: AXP, News), the first of its kind, found that 72% of affluent homeowners planned to make improvements to their houses in 2010. But they expected to spend an average of just $11,500. And most respondents planned to pay for their projects with cash; just 16% planned to use debt.


Banks also are making credit less available than they used to. Keith T. Gumbinger, vice president of HSH.com, a mortgage-data firm, says that before the housing bust, banks would often lend for projects based on the value of the house after completion of the project, but they are less likely to do so now because "there's no guarantee the improvement or the market will lead to price appreciation." The result: even affluent homeowners aren't able to borrow as much as they used to.


With little reason to expect huge price gains in the housing market in the next few years, some homeowners are thinking especially long-term. Diane Ausavich, a remodeling contractor in Milwaukee, says a pair of physicians, as part of a bathroom renovation, recently installed a barrier-free, walk-in shower and higher countertops in their three-story lakefront home built in the 1890s. They did it "so that as they get older they can wheel in and out with a wheelchair if they should have to," Ms. Ausavich says. The homeowners are in their mid-40s and, "being doctors, I'm sure they see the gamut," she says.


Likewise, Marge Kumaki, 57, a marketing and public-relations consultant who resides in Silver Spring, Md., says she and her husband decided to do some basic upgrades on the post-World War II split-level home they have owned for 21 years after their two children left the nest for good in 2007.


She says she would prefer to move to a new high-rise condominium in downtown Bethesda, but that they decided to stay and renovate because it is more cost-effective and they like where they live now. Last summer's severe thunderstorms, which flooded their finished basement and required repairs, spurred them to get started.


Ms. Kumaki says they are planning to spend in the low $30,000s to update the upstairs bathroom, kitchen and family room.


But the couple have decided to hold off on another dream. "I've always wanted an addition, since it is a split level and you can go up or down," she says. "I'd like another level on top, but that's the future."


The New Remodeling Rules






During the bubble, homeowners sought the biggest, splashiest home improvements to boost resale value. Now they're doing smaller projects that deliver a similar result for far less money.


http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109389/the-new-rules-of-remodeling

What's the best of Central Ohio?

Yeah, it’s the weekend and we’re ready…We need to know where the best parts of the city are that we shouldn’t miss. And since we’ve been blogging for a few weeks now, we think it’s time we heard from you. But to keep this interesting… we’re giving away $25 gift card to Cimi's Bistro to a winner -- just for answering the following question:



What’s a unique characteristic of your neighborhood, suburb or city that you would miss the most if you were to move?


The winner will be drawn at random from comments in this blog. You’ll receive one entry in the drawing for each blog comment. And if you subscribe to our blog, you get an additional bonus entry. Contest ends Wednesday, May 5th. Pass it onto your friends!

STOP! If you’re buying a home, these are big no-no’s

1. Do not make any major purchases that create debt of any kind. None. This includes cars, jewelry, vacations, weddings, electronic toys, appliances, rocket ships, etc.



2. Don’t shuffle money between accounts or between banks. When your loan package goes in for approval, the lender is going to examine your source of funds and ask for financial statements for the past few months. It’s very likely that the mortgage underwriter will ask for a paper trail of all the withdrawals and deposits which will include deposit receipts, cancelled checks, proof of transactions, etc. This is additional homework that can be quite time-consuming.


3. Change jobs. (If you are a salaried employee with no commissions or bonuses, then this does NOT apply to you. Or if you are an hourly employee and work without overtime, this shouldn’t affect you either.) Here’s why you don’t want to change jobs if you fall into one of these categories:


Bonuses: Much like commissions, bonuses are averaged from the past two years when calculating your income. If you are switching jobs, they mortgage lender has no basis in which to forecast your future bonus with a new employer.


Commissions: mortgage lenders calculate your income by averaging your commission over the past two years. If you change jobs, it eliminates this history from that employer and the underwriter cannot say with confidence that your commissions will be equivalent.


Part-time and over-time: Much like with bonuses and commissions, the loan officer can average your earnings based on your job history if you are a part-time employee, or if you utilize a lot of over-time pay.


Self-employment: Because many self-employed individuals tend to expense many of their business costs, they are able to minimize their tax obligation to the IRS by showing very little income. While that may seem like a benefit, it also reduces their ability to qualify for a home loan. If you are a business owner and decide to change your company structure from say a sole proprietor to a partnership or a LLC for example, buy the house first.

“We’ll Only Be Here a Few Years…”

As realtors, we hear this a lot…Maybe from a young couple looking for their first home, thinking it’s just going to be a starter home and then they’ll sell it and move up to a bigger, better house once they begin their a family. It’s a common situation and if it’s your reality, or maybe you’re in transition and just looking for a house to get you by for a bit, we hear your plight and we have some suggestions for you as you are shopping for that temporary “home sweet home.” When resale is of near future concern, keep these tips in mind:



Pick the smallest house in the neighborhood – The old adage sticks that you want to purchase the littler house in the neighborhood. The larger homes in your area will help pull the value of your home up – instead of vice-versa.


Beware the over-manicured lawn – Sure, most real estate value is on the building, but the lot is important too. Resale value will be influenced by the looks and the shape of the property. No one wants an awkwardly shaped lot, or if there are any steep inclines that make mowing difficult, or an itty bitty postage stamp lot, etc. Older homes tend to have larger lots which are most often sought-after. And keep in mind what’s actually on the lot. One that is completely consumed by a backyard oasis may have a somewhat limited “pool” of buyers (ha, ha) once you go to sell it. Or one that is uber-landscaped may not only scare away you as a buyer (think of the upkeep!), but will likely not bring dollar-per-dollar investment back to the owner of the property. Curb your inner gardener from going overboard with the rose bush maze you sketched out for the front walkway.


Dive on in – In the past, pools added value to homes but not so much anymore. Safety issues with young families and the sheer maintenance of them have made pools a polarizing feature for home buyers these days. If you like to have a pool, then buy a home with one for your own enjoyment and don’t be concerned about future value. Keep in mind though that, much like over-landscaping, installing a pool rarely brings you a dollar-per-dollar return on your investment.


Room with a view – Let’s face it. Homes with a great view can command a higher price than those without. But don’t put all your eggs in that basket. Buyers may have a different idea of what a pleasant view is, or you never know… that view could change. You may have to adjust your price to average closer to other home prices in your neighborhood when you do sell. So, if you are buying a home with a view, pay as little a premium for it as possible.


Got to have the essentials - When it comes to resale, three and four bedroom houses will be the most marketable, especially if they have a minimum of two and a half bathrooms.


Stashing your stuff – Master bedrooms should have walk-in closets, and the bathrooms should have room for towels and linens. The rest of the house should have respectable closet space. Garages should have at least room for two cars, and the laundry area should be in an inconspicuous area.

Kiss the cook – The heartbeat of the home is in the kitchen so make it a big one and outfitted with modern appliances. Naturally the kitchen should have arteries to the family room and the doors to the garage and backyard too. No one wants to be hauling groceries or barbeque meat across the house…


Chestnuts roasting… - In our neck of the woods, a fireplace is a definite plus and it should be in the family room. A living room fireplace is nice too but doesn’t add much in the way of value since reality is that it is rarely used.


These are all good things to keep in mind but to sum it up, whether you are looking for your forever home or your home for right now, find a house that feels like home, and that you envision yourself in. If all the houses were perfect for everyone, then they would all look the same and that wouldn’t be any fun at all. If you fell in love with a particular house, chances are good that someone else will as well.


Visit our website at www.TheParrettGroup.com to see our great homes for sale.

Spring Fever and the DIY Channel = Home Projects Galore!

Whether you are a new homeowner or giving a closer eye to your investment property, the spring weather has more than likely got your wheels turning on how you can spruce up your digs. Some repairs you may consider to be purely cosmetic, others projects may be solely dedicated to the impending sale of your home. Here are five valuable tips to keep in mind as you reach for that tool belt:




1. In general, try to keep your investment into the project so that it adds double the value to your home. For example, if you add a ceiling fan -- that increases the desirability of the home above the purchase price of the fan (plus the dinner it took to bribe your brother-in-law to install it). Updating your hardware with new door knobs, switch plates, toilet seats, a pretty rose bush outside, etc. adds a tremendous amount to the visual appeal of a home and gives a buyer the sense that your home is well cared for. But don’t go totally crazy with major renovations and over-update. You don’t want your house to be the only Taj Mahal on the street – it won’t sell that way.


2. Estimate the costs of your projects realistically. Make a list of what you want to accomplish and take the list to your favorite home improvement store to put some numbers to it. Remember to add in labor costs. A good estimate is $.50 - $1.00 on installation costs per $1.00 of materials, then just to be safe add 10% – 20% and round up. Sometimes you just don’t know what you’ll discover once you are committed to moving that wall or finishing out a basement.


3. If you decide to hire help for your renovations, make sure they are professional contractors and can show proof of disability and liability insurance. But let’s be real -- you are hiring friends of friends or maybe even day laborers, it might be worth a call into your insurance professional just to see if you can get any type of inexpensive coverage during your project.


4. However long you think it might take, triple it! Research and calculate how much time the project should take to complete and unless you are an expert or have done several of these types of projects before… assume the worst case scenario and take your estimate and start multiplying. Trust us, you’ll want that tile floor to be perfect and that will take extra time that you didn’t allow for. It’s NOT a good idea to take on a major project two weeks before Christmas if you don’t want to be in trouble with the wife!


5. And lastly, if you are concerned that your project may need a permit to be completed, ask your contractor his opinion first. He is experienced with red tape and can help steer you through the process if you need to obtain one.


Remember, have fun - and it’s ALWAYS going to look a LOT worse before it looks better!


Visit our website for lots of great homes: http://www.theparrettgroup.com/

They say there are two things you can count on in life…

We won’t talk about the first one, but the second one may be spread out across your desk at home. It’s tax time, and if you are still scouring your numbers and bought a home recently -- or plan to soon, don’t forget about the Home Buyer Tax Credit. The credit is easy to attain. Just follow these tips from the National Association of Realtors:

1. Close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract in place by April 30, 2010 with a closing date no later than June 30, 2010.

2. Decide whether to:

apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010;
file an amended 2009 return; or,
apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011.

3. Attach documentation of purchase to your return.

When to Apply the Credit

Buyers purchasing homes on or before December 31, 2009 may claim the credit on their 2009 tax returns.

Buyers purchasing in 2010 will have the option to: 

Claim the credit on their 2009 return, even if the purchase is completed after December 31, 2009;

File an amended return for 2009 if their purchase is completed after April 15, 2010; or,

Claim the credit on their 2010 tax returns.

If you, or your client, purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: How to Get the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Applying the Credit to Your 2009 Taxes

You will need to do three things to claim the credit on your 2009 tax return:

• Fill out Form 5405 to determine the amount of your available credit 
• Apply the credit when you file your 2009 tax return or file an amended return 
• Attach documentation of purchase to your return or amended return

Visit our website to view great homes for sale: http://www.theparrettgroup.com/

After the jelly beans are gone, what to do with a long holiday weekend?

It’s a holiday weekend and many of homeowners use the extra time off to turn their attention to Spring cleaning and sprucing up their home. If you’ve got the fix it up bug but not a lot of time, here are 5 quick tips on how you can increase your home’s value without spending a lot of money. We think you may even know someone to help you out with tip number one… (*wink*)




5 Ways to Increase Your Home's Value


Tip 1: Spend an hour with a pro.


Invite a Realtor or interior designer over to check out your home. Many Realtors will do this as a courtesy, but you will probably have to pay a consultation fee to a designer. Check with several designers in your area -- a standard hourly fee is normally less than $100.


In an hour, a professional can give you lots of ideas for needed improvements. Even small suggestions, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home.


Tip 2: Find inspiration.


Want an even cheaper alternative to a professional consultation? Search for remodeling and decorating inspiration in design-oriented magazines, books, TV shows and Web sites. Simply tear out or print off the ideas you want to try and start your to-do list. Keep it simple: when remodeling on a tight budget, do-it-yourself type projects are best.


Tip 3: Inspect it!


Not every home improvement is cosmetic. Hidden problems like deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems can negatively impact your home's value. Hire an inspector to check out the areas of your home that you don't normally see. Small problems, like a hidden water leak, can become expensive headaches if you put off repairs. A little investment now can save you loads of cash later.


Tip 4: Paint, paint, paint.


One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is a fresh coat of paint. Newly painted rooms look clean and updated -- and that spells value. Neutral paint colors appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable. On average, a gallon of paint costs around $25, leaving you plenty of money to buy rollers, tape, drop cloths and brushes. So, buy a few gallons and get busy!


Tip 5: Cut energy costs.


If you think your utility bill is a fixed amount, call your local utility company to find out. Many energy providers offer free energy audits of their customers' homes. They can show you how to maximize the energy efficiency of your home. A power- and water-saving home will conserve your money now, and is more valuable in the long run. Plus, you can use the money you save for more updates!


(Thanks HGTV.com for the tips!)


Visit our website for some great homes for sale: http://www.theparrettgroup.com/

Yep, we're blogging. We tweet, we facebook, we sell incredible houses. We rock.

You want to subscribe to our blog. You're going to find great information on Central Ohio, tips on how to improve your home and how to have a great deal when buying or selling residential real estate. Sign up today so you don't miss a single scintillating minute!




Visit our website at any time to see our real-time listings: http://www.theparrettgroup.com/