Back-to-School Fire Safety Rules for Your Home

As millions of children return to school, now is a perfect time for a refresher course on home fire safety.  You never know when life may hand you a pop quiz!

• Create an escape plan.  Start by drawing a floor plan or map of your home.  Be sure to include all doors and windows.  Let your children use crayons to draw the beds, tables, etc.
• In one color, draw a line that shows the fastest way out of each room.  In a different color, draw another line that shows the second fastest way out.
• Pick a meeting place outside the home where everyone knows to gather. Ensure everyone understands that once they’re out, they stay out. No one goes back inside until it is all clear.
• Hold home fire drills at least twice a year.  Make them realistic by pretending some exits are blocked by smoke or fire.  Hold some at night so everyone knows what to do in the dark.

Escape tips:

• Get out first.  Call 911 from a cell or neighbor’s phone second.
• If possible, close doors behind you as you escape to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
• If there is a lot of smoke, crawl with your head one to two feet above the floor, where the air is cleanest.
• Test doorknobs and spaces around closed doors with the back of your hand.  If the door is warm, try another escape route.  If it is cool, open it slowly.  Slam it quickly if smoke pours through.

Things to think about:

• Make sure babysitters and other caregivers know your escape plan and where to meet.
• Ensure everyone in your home–including children–can unlock and open all doors and windows.
• If your windows have security bars, equip them with quick-release devices, and know how to use them.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month, and replace batteries twice a year (at the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time is a good idea).
• Replace any alarms that are more than 10 years old.
• Test fire extimguishers annually.  Make sure everyone knows where they are and how to use them.

FIRE SAFETY FUN FACTS:  Have you ever noticed blue reflectors on the roads as you drive through neighborhoods and throughout communities?  Did you know that they mark the location of the nearest fire hydrant so firefighters can find them quickly?

The next time you’re driving around with children make a game out of finding the next fire hydrant! It’s a great way to keep kids aware and another chance to discuss fire safety!

Here are some child-friendly sites your family can visit to learn more about fire safety, take pop quizzes, and download fun facts and age-appropriate literature:

www.smokeybear.com

www.sparky.org

www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm

Do you have other ideas as to what your family does to make everyone aware of fire safety? If so, I look forward to your comments.

As always, if you or someone you know is in the market for a REALTOR in the Des Moines, Iowa area please think of me first.  I’m just a phone call away.  515/577-2412.

Planet-friendly Tips for Today’s Homeowners

Knowing the facts about reducing, reusing and recycling is the first step you can take toward finding simple ways to help make a difference in our world.

1. Start with your shopping list. Buying concentrates with 99% product and only 1% packaging is a great way to reduce what goes into our landfills.  Use refills for items such as liquid soap, window cleaner and detergent.  The containers are larger, but they’re made from thinner, stripped-down materials.  Purchase paper and plastic goods with the “recycle” logo.  And remember to recycle your plastic grocery bags; most grocery stores have a bin you can put them in on your next trip to the store.
2. Reuse when possible.Give new life to old products by donating unwanted clothing, appliances, furnishings and household items to charity rather than sending them to the landfill.  You can even get a tax credit for this! Find handy, practical uses for boxes, jars, containers and more in your home, workshop or office.  Many school art departments welcome these items, as well.
3. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Check within your community to see what types of recyclables are accepted in your area.  Likely items include plastic milk, water and juice containers; glass jars of any kind (preferably clear); metal cans; newspapers, magazines, phone books; and cardboard boxes.  Many of these items can be made new again while saving our Earth’s resources.

DID YOU KNOW…

• 32% of magazines generated as waste are recycled
• You can power a light bulb for four hours with the energy saved from recycling one glass jar
• 61% of newspapers generated as waste are recovered for recycling
• Every person in America contributes 4.4 pounds of trash to our landfills each day
• Each ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water
• One recycled aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours

HERE ARE SOME ECO-FRIENDLY SITES FOR FAMILIES THAT WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RECYCLING:

www.earth911.org

www.epa.gov

www.kab.org

www.recycle.net

Gas-Saving Tips

With gas prices though the roof and no relief in sight, here are a few helpful hints for saving at the pump.

• Fill up in the early morning or late evening; gas is densest during these times, which means more bang for your buck.
• Don’t top off your tank; in warm weather, fuel expansion causes overflow
• Participate in a car or van pool, or talk to your employer about telecommuting or flex hours that would keep you out of bumper-to-bumper traffic
• Don’t start and stop your engine needlessly.  Idling for one minute consumes the gas amount eaquivalent to when you start the engine.
• Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds.  Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%
• Ensure your tires are properly inflated.

For more information, visit www.aaa.com/gasprices or www.gasbuddy.com.

If you’re looking for a home in the greater Des Moines area, call me first.  I am a full-service REALTOR and can help you list your home properly for the current market and I can help you find the right home as a buyer’s agent.  There may not be a better time to buy, so contact me today!  Virginia Gruver, RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts.  515/577-2412  Virginia@RealEstateConcepts.net.  Licensed to practice real estate in Iowa.

Short Sales Specialist

Is your mortgage keeping you from selling your house? Our changing real estate market has left many home owners in a very precarious position.  With interest rates rising and property taxes skyrocketing, many feel trapped in homes with a mortgage that no longer is a viable option.

You are not alone. If you or someone you know is in this situation, know that there are options.  One such option is called a short sale.

If the market value of your property is less than what you owe on your mortgage, you might qualify for a legal, lender-approved solution known as a short sale.  In a short sale, a bank or lending instituition accepts a sale on property for less than what is owed on the mortgage balance.  I specialize in negotiating such transactions and welcome the opportunity to work with you.

The real estate industry and our economy as a whole are constantly changing.  It is my job and commitment to stay current on ways to ensure the rights and interests of my customers are protected.

If you have questions about any other real estate-related topic, please know I am here to help.

Selling your home in a Changing Market

In today’s rapidly changing economy, many homeowners wonder or worry about selling their home for the best price, and terms in the shortest period of time.

Here are 9 helpful hints if you are considering selling your home:

Be realistic, and price your home right by using market comparisons.

1. Know your true bottom line for both price and time.
2. As the market shifts, be prepared to evaluate your price.
3. Advertising your property with yard signs, local MLS and newspapers.
4. Get rid of the clutter! It makes your house appear smaller.
5. Clean your walls, floors, baseboards, stove and refrigerator. Buyers will know your house is well cared for.
6. Clean up outdoors! Remove tools, toys and be sure lawn and shrubs are neatly trimmed.
7. Have the carpets cleaned to eliminate odors, smoke, and pet smells.
8. Make minor repairs such as leaky faucets, sticky doors, etc.
9. Be sure to ask for a Merchandising Review before listing your property.

For Your Free Merchandising Review Call me at 515/577-2412.

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3 Great Websites

• www.iowamortgagehelp.com – If you need help and have questions about your mortgage in Iowa, this is the site to see.  Great resource if you are behind on payments and want to stay in your home.
• www.HousingMarketFacts.com – A place where you can get the facts about the current housing market.  Provided by the National Association of Realtors.
• www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com- A resource to answer questions about the $7500 First Time Homebuyer tax credit.

Ask me about the $7500 First Time Home Buyer Refund today!

Virginia Gruver  515/577-2412 or www.virginia@realestateconcepts.net

Understanding Capital Gains

Understanding Capital Gains: Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for something (Stock or Real Estate for example) and what you sold it for.

How to Calculate Gain

(+) PURCHASE PRICE- Price paid for property

(+) COST OF PURCHASE- Transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF SALE- Repairs, commissions, attorney fees, inspections

(+) COST OF IMPROVEMENT- Room additions, deck,for example, though not replacing existing

(=) ADJUSTED COST BASIS OF YOUR HOME

(-) AMOUNT YOU SELL YOUR HOME

(=) CAPITAL GAIN

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria:

• You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years.
• You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale.

NOTE: As of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.

UNDERSTANDING APPRAISAL VALUE: For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based on the market value – what the property could probably be sold for in the market today.  This value is not a constant number and changes with market conditions which can often alter the appraised value.  Lenders usually use either the appraised value or the sale price, whichever is less, to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer to a borrower. Always consult your Tax Advisor or CPA regarding current tax law.

Call today for the following -

1. Comparative Market Analysis
2. Merchandising Review
3. List of Properties
4. Mortgage Options Analysis
5. Personal Marketing Plan

 

 If you know anyone who might have an interest in either buying or selling, please call me today.  515/577-2412.

Know Your Loans

REAL ESTATE 101

Some loan rates can look great in an advertisement but don’t offer the whole story as to what you might ACTUALLY pay for the loan.

Points, PMI (private mortgage insurance), penalties, down payments and closing costs are also factors you need to consider.

When buying or selling a home, or refinancing a loan, understanding the contractual fine print and clauses can be overwhelming.  Know that I am here to help answer any questions you have. I have the experience and expertise to make sure you not only know your loans, but you also can sort out the options that make the most sense for you and your family.  Call me today to lean more!

TAKE FIVE – Five Handy Household Tips from your Neighborhood specialist

1. Stains in Plastic Storage Containers: Use a baking soda past (baking soda and water) and rub into the stain.  You can then rinse the vinegar (optional and wash normally.  Another method is to place container outside on a nice sunny day and the sun actually bleaches the stain out.  To avoid stains in the first place, spray container with cooking spray before putting things in it that stain i.e. spaghetti sauce.
2. Stickers, Decals, and Glue: To remove them from furniture, glass, plastic, etc. saturate with vegetable oil and rub off.
3. Stuck-On Food in Pots, Pans, and Crockpots: Fill the pan with water and place a fabric softener sheet in the water.  Allow the pan to soak overnight. The food will wipe right out!
4. Stovetops: To prevent grease and grime from sticking to your stove top, making it easy to clean, rub it down with car wax on occasion.
5. Tarnished Silverware: Line a cake pan with aluminum foil.  Fill with water and add 1 Tablespoon of baking soda per 2 cups of water.  Heat to 150 degrees. Lay silverware in pan, touching aluminum foil. Watch the stains disappear!

Environmental Reminders

• Do not bury or spread used motor oil on the ground as it will prevent anything from growing in that location for many years and may contaminate nearby water sources. To dispose of it, take it to your community recycling center.  By law, communities must have such a center, which may be located at an auto service or repair station, or at any station that sells or changes oil.  Diesel fuel, brake and transmission lubricants, lamp oil, and kerosene can also be brought to the recycling center.
• Whenever you apply pesticides, adhere strictly to the direction on the package.  Do not spray when temperatures are over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or when it is windy.

For all your real estate needs, contact me today 515/577-2412

Splash On Some Color

PAINTING TIPS- Sometimes lighting and shadows can make choosing a paint color a little tricky.  Try these tips for getting it just right!

1. Look to your favorite home-decorating magazines and tear out color schemes and ideas that appeal to you and take with you when shopping for paint.
2. Know that color is usually more intense on walls than it seems on a sample card.  Play it safe and go a shade or two lighter.Yellow and rosy tones give a room a warm feeling.  Greens, blues and grays give a cooler tone.
3. Avoid snow-white except in ultramodern, minimalist environments, because it will seem too harsh, giving a sterile, operating-room effect.  It’s better to go with a white that contains a hint of peach, beige, or pink.
4. Keep bold color schemes for areas such as bathrooms and dining rooms where you don’t spend as much time. That way if you tire quickly, changing it won’t be as large of a project!
5. Take fabric with you if you’re matching it, either a swatch, pillow or curtain panel for example.
6. Start small, buying just a quart or so of paint, and then paint a section of wall with a paintbrush or roller, or test the color on a good-size (perhaps 3 feet square) plywood or wallboard scrap, or on a piece of cardboard; set it against the walls in the room as the light changes (including artificial light) and evaluate it for a few days.
7. Test a two-tone scheme, such as wainscoting in one color and walls in another, by painting two boards or painting one board in both colors.  Repeat the test, tinkering with colors in small amounts until you’re satisfied.  While the cost for sampling various paints can add up, it is still better than applying the wrong color to an entire room and having to repaint!

PREPARING HOME FOR AN OPEN HOUSE

• Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your home.  It will be one of your best investments. A dirty home is difficult to sell.
• Cut your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
• Check your front door area – clear away cobwebs, hose down muddy siding, if front door is faded give it a fresh coat of paint and in season – add a pot of flowers to greet your buyers.
• Store valuables, jewelry, money and any prescription medications out of sight. Your agent’s goal is to get as many buyers through as possible and with a good turn out it’s impossible to watch everyone at the same time. Besides, no buyer likes having the agent follow them around – most buyers want some space while touring your home.
• Keep all lights on, incandescent lights add sparkle and keep the drapes open, let the sunshine brighten up each room.
• If you have pets, take them with you. You want to make your home welcome to your buyer and your pet’s natural instinct is to protect his territory. 
• Add flowers for a fresh and colorful touch.
• Revitalize your bathroom with new curtains, fresh towels and guest soaps.
• Use fresh scent air fresheners to kill odors – no one will enjoy the bacon smell from breakfast.
• Put out a Welcome doormat.
• Re-arrange the rooms to provide spaciousness.

THINKING ABOUT MAKING A CHANGE?

If you or someone you know is thinking about making a change now is the time to contact me.  As a seller, I can provide you with a personalized home market analysis that will reflect a list price that is compatible with today’s market.  As a buyer I can introduce you to lenders who will help you find the loan product that is right for your needs.

Call me today at 515/577-2412 or email me at Virginia@RealEstateConcepts.net.

Watch for updates to my blog. I will strive to provide information that will help protect your current home investment.

Cooling Your Home When the Heat is On

Global warming, fuel prices and the ever-rising cost of electricity can mean money saved or quickly lost, depending on the efficiency of your home’s cooling system.  Taking a few simple steps now will increase your chances of staying cool…and keeping your cool when the utility bill arrives this summer!

1. Have your system checked by a professional.  Whatever costs you incur can quickly be regained by ensuring that your system is well maintained and evergy efficient.
2. Keep filters clean and free of debris to allow maximum air flow and decrease stress on your system. Filters should be replaced monthly.
3. Consider a programmable thermostat. This great tool automatically controls the temperature of your home, even when you are away.
4. Keep window treatments closed to prevent the sun’s heat from permeating your living area.  This also reduces the sun’s fading effects on your carpet and furniture.
5. Use ceiling fans.  Fans make you feel cooler by creating a “wind chill effect” and only use roughly as much power as a 100-watt light bulb.
6. Run your clothes dryer at night, or line-dry your clothes.  The heat from your dryer is more easily dispelled during the evening hours, when your system is not working at maximum capacity just to counter the heat of the day.  You also might want to consider upgrading to any number of today’s more energy-efficient models.

These are just a few ideas for keeping your cool this summer. Check with your local electric company for more money -saving options in your area!

CELEBRATING ON THE 4TH? – Check out these great sites!

www.fireworkssafety.com – for a wealth of information, including a self-test, on how to stay safe while enjoying fireworks.

www.culinarycafe.com/barbeque.html- for a list of mouth-watering barbeque and grilling recipes, including ingredients for homemade rubs, marinades and sauces.

www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_4th.html - for list of fun crafts and activities, including seltzer rockets, ball catchers and instructions for decorating your bike and making your own flag.  This site also has great ideas on how to host your own neighborhood parade!

Creating Curb Appeal

SIX TIPS FOR “MAKING AN ENTRANCE” – Has the “spring cleaning” bug bitten you yet?  Why not take that urge one step further–right out the door! Now is the perfect time to clean up, warm up and maximize your home’s curb appeal!

We all know the curb appeal “standards” such as keeping the lawn watered and cut, trimming the hedges and pulling those pesky weeds.  Those, of course, are the “must-dos” that make your home look neat.  What about adding a little sizzle to your steps with some things that shout “welcome home” not only to you pulling in at the end of a long day, but also to potential buyers searching for a new home of their own?

1. Plant flowers, flowers and MORE flowers. Pick a color scheme of flowers that complements your shutters and front door, and plant them not just in your flower beds, but in pots as well.  Choose pots of varying heights and sizes for contrast and interest, and place them in groups of three on your porch or patio.  Fertilize, water and dead-head them throughout spring and summer to keep them looking picture-perfect.
2. Be front door friendly.  Give your front door a fresh coat of paint and polish up the hardware or replace it with new. Take a look at your light fixtures, and replace anything that’s dated, weathered or worn with one of today’s beautiful, new designs.  Clear those cobwebs and sweep away the dust, then add an attractive welcome mat, shiny new door knocker or a seasonal wreath.
3. Take a seat. The right piece of weatherproof furniture creates a focal point for your front porch and invites all who enter to sit down and stay for a while. Choose a pretty chair for a corner, a pair of rocking chairs, a porch swing or a nice bench with a colorful array of pillows for just the right flair.
4. Power wash or paint. The wood trim on your home is often the first thing potential buyers and guests notice.  Sand and add a fresh coat of paint to trim that’s chipped and weathered, or simply power wash that which is just in need of a good cleaning, and you’ll instantly create a home facelift!
5. Wash your windows. Make it a point to really make those windows sparkle! A good cleaning inside and out adds shine to the outside of your home and lets that beautiful spring light in!
6. Add a touch of charm and whimsy. Little things mean a lot when it comes to adding just the right touch of charm to the face of your home.  Hang a small windchime, add a book, magazine or accent candle to porch table, keep your bird feeders full, or even tuck a lavender sachet close to the doorway for a welcoming fragrance.

Whether you’re looking to sell or simply want to renew your sense of pride in the place where your family “hangs its hat,” spring cleaning and the extra “curb appeal” awaken and rejuvenate both the inside and outside of your home.

REAL ESTATE 101 – There is much to learn in every aspect of the real estate experience.  New laws, new regulations and market shifts make buying and selling property a constantly changing venture.

I’ll do my best to help my clients, neighbors and customers stay forward of current events by highlighting a different topic each month.  If there is anything that you want to know, call me!  It’s not just something I do, it’s something I love!

This month’s topic is… Property Appraisals – Property appraisals are not something most people know a lot about.  As such, most have not had the opportunity to sort myth from fact.  The information below should help clear things up!

• Myth: The main reason for an appraisal is to make sure the buyer doesn’t pay too much for the property.
• Fact:  An appraisal provides valuable information for both buyer and seller, but the appraiser’s primary goal is to protect the lender. Before a lender offers final approval for the loan, it’s important to have the most up-to-date and accurate information about the property.
• Myth:  Appraisers use a price-per-square-foot formula to determine a home’s worth.
• Fact:  Appraisers weigh many factors, including the home’s location, its proximity to desirable schools and other public facilities, lot size, size and condition of the home itself and recent sales prices of comparable properties.
• Myth:  If I clean the house really well, it will improve my appraisal price.
• Fact:  Appraisers aren’t interested in dirty dishes or dusty dressers; however, they do notice signs of neglect such as cracked walls, chipped paint, broken windows, torn carpets, damaged flooring and inoperable appliances.

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If you or someone you know has been thinking about making a move please contact me today.  As a buyer, I can introduce you to lenders who can help you find the best financing product for you.  As a seller, I can produce a personalized home market analysis on your property, an estimate a proceeds, and explain my marketing plan that will help get your home sold for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.  I will be there for you through the whole process after you’ve accepted an offer through the closing.

When & What to Remodel:

When remodeling your home, any major repairs must yield increasing returns.  For example, if you spend $1000 to enhance part of your home, it must yield more than $1000 when you are ready to sell your home. These areas show increasing returns:

* Bathroom remodeling

* Master suite addition

* Bathroom addition

*Family room addition

* Roof replacement

* Window replacement

HIRING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

*Get written estimates from at least three contractors

* Check references, including past clients

* Call local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints

* Make sure your contract is clear and specifies what the job entails, including time, price and changes.

* Do not pay in full. Make a down payment on services rendered.

* Check that all permits, licenses and insurance needs are met by the contractor.

* Many contracts have a 3-Day Rescission to protect you, should you change your mind!

* Ask who will do the work.  Will it be the contractor or what portion will be sub-contracted?

* Ensure that all work completed complies with local building codes and/or regulations.

* Hold contractors responsible for clean up and any damage that occurs during work completed.

* Guarantee that materials used are what you requested.

* Once you are satisfied, then make the final payment.

SHAMELESS PLUG -

If you are thinking about doing some remodeling or need some household repairs.  My husband Steve who has thirty years in the construction business – both in remodelling and home building – has just started up a General Contracting Business.  It is called S and G Contracting.  He has done both commercial and residential construction and has earned the National Association of Home Builders Master Builder Designation.  He has built hundreds of homes in the Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee and western suburbs. Not just a few homes but complete developments.  His price range goes from $180’s up to a few million in the custom Mastercraft neighborhoods.  Since he is starting out, no job is too small or too large. He is a carpenter by trade but also has quality sub-contractors who will be working for him. He can build decks, finish basements, remodel kitchens and baths, replace windows and doors.  Just about any kind of repair that a home could need. Call him today for an estimate at 515/577-2295.  I will have an e-mail address for him soon. 

 

FIVE HANDY HOUSEHOLD TIPS

1. Kitchen odors? Boil lemon and orange slices inw ater on the stove with a few cinnamon sticks and cloves for added scent.

2. Is your garbage disposal smelly? Throw some baking soda and citrus peel in the garbage disposal and grind away.

3. Double bagging your trash can add strength–place a dryer sheet in the bottom for deordizing.

4. Smelly shoes? Simply fill a tub sock with kitty litter, baking soda, or tea leaves; tie the end closed; and place in shoes when you’re not wearing them.  These sachets can be used over and over in any kind of shoe.

5. Dust the television with a sheet of fabric softener.  The static guard int he sheet will keep dust from re-settling.

If you have real estate or home owner questions or comments, please reply.  Also if you have suggestions as to how I can improve this site for you, do let me know.