Anyone who has recently gone through the process of getting their home ready for sale can attest to the fact that there is no shortage of things to be done before putting a home on the market. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the spring selling season and listing your home within the coming months, be sure to add the laundry room to your list of projects that can’t be overlooked.

For sellers who really want to make a statement with their laundry room, adding new, energy-efficient washers and dryers can go a long way toward attracting prospective buyers. Thanks to new washer and dryer technologies, today’s models will not only save time and energy, they may even make laundry feel like less of a chore.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing machines with the ENERGY STAR label will cut water costs by up to 50 percent. There are also machines that automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for each load to prevent excess and waste.

Many new models are available in a variety of designer finishes and bright colors that give the look of stainless steel without the stainless steel price tag, which can really make a bold statement.

If you’re planning to add a new washer to your laundry room, the first thing you need to decide is whether to go with a front- or top-loading machine. While a top-loading machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set horizontally in the machine. One downside to front-loading washers: cost. In addition to being more expensive, there’s also a better chance for front-loading washers to develop mold since they don’t empty dirty water as efficiently as a top-loading machine.

When it comes to dryers, sensors are the thing to look for. Consumer Reports revealed that dryers with a moisture sensor tend to recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than machines that use a traditional thermostat. Because they don't subject clothing to unnecessary heat, moisture-sensor models are easier on fabrics. And since they shut themselves off when the laundry is dry, they use less energy.

The use of steam washers and dryers for greater energy and water efficiency is also a rising trend. Steam machines offer enhanced clothing care options such as short, steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing.

Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but today, people are finding space for washers and dryers in more convenient areas of the house such as the kitchen or near bedrooms. Housing experts agree that installing a laundry nook will not only raise the value of a home, it will also make laundry day much more convenient.

For more information about revamping your laundry room, contact our office today.

The expenses associated with owning and maintaining a home can be a shock to new homeowners, however, a current estimate of what your new home is worth can often times work in your favor when it comes to lowering your property taxes. If you recently purchased a home, it’s a good bet that you may have bought the house for a price lower than the property value, so sometimes taxes can be lowered if the value has changed.

“A tax assessment is an estimate on the value of your property solely for the purpose of determining how much you owe in property taxes,” said Peter Hoegen, an attorney with Hoegen & Associates, PC in Pennsylvania who specializes in tax assessments.

Lowering property taxes isn’t the only reason that homeowners go through the reassessment process. Another reason for a reassessment is for insurance purposes, to make sure the home has an appropriate level of coverage. Additionally, homeowners may opt for a reassessment due to changes in value that have been caused by the downturn in the economy.

For those who may be thinking of selling, an assessment is a good way to learn if the house is worth more than what is owed, and can provide valuable data for homeowners who are looking to get a lower mortgage rate.

“If you are thinking of having your home assessed for a possible readjusting of the value, it’s important to understand the protocol and timelines that your city or state has, because all are different,” Hoegen said.

The first step is to begin with the county assessor’s office. In 2012, the process has become much simpler for some, as more places are allowing homeowners to appeal tax assessments online. If that’s not an option where you live, plan a visit to your local assessor’s office to register for an appeal.

The appeal process is most commonly conducted by someone coming out and inspecting the property and comparing it to neighboring houses. Some will rely on computer models, but that could be problematic because you’re not seeing everything that can be viewed with the naked eye.

Although the appeal process itself can be relatively quick, if it’s clear that a change needs to be made, actually having someone come out to your property to perform the assessment can take anywhere from a month to a year, depending on the amount of people following suit. In today’s housing market, with property values decreasing in many areas, more people are turning to reassessments to lower their taxes.

When making your case, be sure to have documents ready that show what homes in the neighborhood have sold for. Prices of comparable homes that have sold in the past six to 12 months will be most helpful to build your case. Much of this data can be found on the Internet, but the real estate agent who helped you buy your home can assist in gathering the information as well.

Remember, assessed value is often not equal to market value. Many times, an assessment is only a percentage of what the home could actually be sold for, so appealing the value of your home might not be as financially advantageous as you think. The last thing you want is for your taxes to rise because the house is now worth more.

For more information about property reassessment, please contact our office today.

Whether it’s to focus on a career, education or simply themselves, people are getting married later in life these days, however, that doesn’t mean they’ve given up on the prospect of owning a home.

In fact, buying a home with a friend or non-spousal family member is a trend that has been gaining popularity over the last decade. Not only does taking part in a group purchase provide individuals the opportunity to buy something bigger and better than what they would have been able to afford on their own, it also provides each person a real estate investment and takes away the prospect of renting. Additionally, it can even strengthen the friendship.

While the prospect of owning a home with a friend may seem like a great idea, it’s important that the parties involved understand that they are taking a risk when it comes to their friendship surviving the financial and emotional toll that comes with homeownership.

Before any decisions are made, it’s crucial that each party be willing to disclose their financial information, agree upon the type of home and location and make sure each is comfortable living with the other. Getting a lawyer involved isn’t a bad idea either.

In addition, a contract between both parties is vital, as is listing each person’s name on the deed and mortgage papers. The percentage of ownership must be clearly stated in the contract, including details pertaining to each person’s share of the down payment and the way in which mortgage payments will be divided. This information will help set the stage for deciding each person’s share when the house is sold at some point down the road.

Money can also be a problem when trying to purchase a home with a friend. Mortgage companies aren’t always thrilled to be lending to two unmarried or unrelated people. In most instances, you will need to jointly qualify as co-borrowers on a single mortgage in order to purchase a property held in TIC or Joint Tenancy.

Since house options, mortgage rates and contract terms are contingent on each individual’s credit history, financial health and short-term and long-term obligations, it’s a good idea to discuss these issues ahead of time so that you know your options well in advance.

It’s also important to have an exit strategy in place should one or both of you need to move elsewhere unexpectedly. Be sure to take into consideration an unexpected job change or a surprise romance that could lead to marriage and have a plan in place as to what will happen to the house should any of these situations occur.

The process doesn’t get any easier once all of the above details are agreed upon and you have a mortgage commitment in hand. Finding the perfect home is hard enough on its own, but finding the perfect home for two can be even more challenging.

Sitting down together and coming up with a list of must-have features is one way to take the stress out of the home search process as you will most likely each have different ideas when it comes to what you’re looking for.

Most friendships are strong enough to easily deal with housing issues, so don’t be scared off by the notion. Take the time to plan ahead and do your homework, and most importantly, don’t let the friendship cloud your judgment.

For more information about buying a home, contact our office today.

In today’s tough economic climate, homeowners across the board are doing everything they can to save a few dollars here and there. If you’re in the process of cutting back, one area where you may be able to save money when it comes to your home is your homeowners insurance.

Data over the last five years reveals that homeowners insurance coverage has increased significantly, but the good news is that there are things you can do to lower the cost.

The easiest solution is to bundle your insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you package multiple policies such as your car, boat and home insurance, so be sure to shop around and see where you can get the best deal. On average, you can save 5 to 15 percent if you purchase two or more premiums.

While most people look for insurance policies with small deductibles, in the long run, taking on more of the financial burden if something should happen to your house is a great way to save money. By raising your deductible, your monthly costs can decrease 5 to 10 percent.

Safety also helps with savings. Something as simple as installing carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and alarm systems can reduce your monthly bill. It’s a good idea to ask your insurance agent what steps you can take to make your home more resistant to natural disasters as well. You may be able to save money on your premiums by adding storm shutters, reinforcing your roof or even buying stronger roofing materials. Older homes can even be retrofitted to make them better able to withstand earthquakes.

Just as you would do with a car or any other big-ticket item, taking the time to shop around is always smart. Be sure to check consumer guides, companies and online insurance quote services, which will give you an idea of price ranges and tell you which companies have the lowest prices. Keep in mind that you must obtain insurance in order to close your sale, so make sure you have compared different companies and found the best deal ahead of time so that you don’t get stuck with an expensive policy.

Also, it’s not necessary to insure a house for the amount that it was purchased for. Even if your house were to completely burn down, you would still have the land, so take this into consideration when deciding the total amount you need to insure for. A good insurance agent will be able to help you calculate the proper replacement cost of the house.

In addition to these tips, it’s wise to talk with your broker and see if they have any thoughts on how to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance policy. It’s also important to review your policy each year to ensure it still accurately covers your home.

For more information about homeowners insurance, contact our office today.