Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Buying a New Home? Think about Water Conditioning to keep that New Home Feeling Longer

For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we will ever make. The day of closing, home buyers are excited and nervous. Will the house live up to expectations? Can I keep my costs low? Will I be happy here?
Keith White, President of Aquarius Water Conditioning & Plumbing Inc. has a suggestion, “Installing a water conditioning system can help set the stage to keep you and your home healthy, clean and saving money. Whole house water treatment systems offer whole body benefits. We have a wide range of Kinetico® water conditioning systems to meet your needs and suit your new home.”

A soft water conditioning system:

  • Cuts down on cleaning time and costs
  • Keeps clothes cleaner and brighter
  • Helps keep dishes spot-free
  • Helps prevent soap scum and hard water deposits on bathroom fixtures
  • Helps protect against plumbing problems such as mineral scale build-up and pinhole leaks from acid water issues
  • Contributes to longer appliance life—appliances using soft water can last 30 percent longer
  • Saves on energy costs—water heaters function 30 percent more efficiently with soft water

    Less time cleaning, longer appliance life, energy cost savings will help your new home live up to expectations.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Inspection is Essential

Inspectors are crucial – especially for the buyers and in a lean market the inspections can be even more valuable. Inspections are not intended to point out a home’s every imperfaction – but to give buyers the heads up on an major issues. Once informed the buyer can relax knowing the home is in good shape or use any findings as leverage to get the seller to make improvements or lower the asking price.

According to RIS Media, here’s what to expect in a home inspection and what to look for in an inspector:

WHAT GETS INSPECTED: The standard inspection report covers the following:

  • Heating system
  • Central air-conditioning system (temperature permitting)
  • Interior plumbing and electrical systems
  • Roof, attic, and visible insulation
  • Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors
  • Foundation, basement, and structural components.

HOME INSPECTOR 411:
Some things to consider before choosing an inspector:

  • Credentials. Know whether your state requires that inspectors be licensed or affiliated with an association.
  • Experience. Any prospect should have made enough inspections “to make you feel comfortable,” cautions Ronald J. Passaro of Danbury, Conn., a founder of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Has the inspector been in business long enough that you know he or she will still be there in a year, or five years, if you have questions or problems?
  • Professional affiliations. These require adherence to codes of ethics and standards.
  • Staff. If you have a problem or question, can you get in touch with someone when you call or email?
  • Sample report. Is it concise, readable, and in layman’s terms, or is it a vague checklist that’s not tailored to your home?
  • Other services. Does the prospect offer more than just the standard inspection, including radon and water testing?
Submitted by home buyer agent, Mary Rugani.

Friday, May 20, 2011

National Kids to Parks Day - May 21

RIS Media points out...

As a nation we have a special day to take our children to work. Now, with the help of National Park Trust (NPT), children will be treated to a weekend experience -National Kids to Parks Day (NK2PD) on May 21—a nationwide park play-in to promote healthy lifestyles and foster an appreciation for America’s magnificent national, state and local parks.

And in Minnesota...

Mayor Coleman will be proclaiming National Kids to Parks day in Saint Paul on May 21 and encourages locals to participate by exploring Parks throughout Saint Paul, including participating in the new Nature Geocache Program or by visiting one of Saint Paul’s 170 parks and open spaces.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

10 Signs of Buyer’s Remorse After Buying a Home

Thanks to Movers and Packers for offering to share the following article…

The purchase of a new home is a difficult decision. It is hard to know for sure whether you’re going to like the home or the new neighborhood until after you’ve moved in. There are times when someone buys a home and regrets the decision shortly afterwards. Here are 10 signs to watch for, when you suspect a case of buyer’s remorse.


  1. Unpacked boxes – Is their garage still filled with unpacked boxes several weeks later? Does it seem like they are in no hurry to settle into the new home? These could be indications of buyer’s remorse.

  2. No décor on the walls – Are they taking their time about hanging pictures on the walls and putting out the family photos? This could be another sign of uncertainty about the new home.

  3. Scanning the real estate section – Are they still scanning the real estate section daily after their purchase? If they’re still looking, that would give some indication that there is some dissatisfaction which their choice.

  4. Seeking affirmation – Do they seem to be looking for others to reassure them that they’ve made the right decision? This could indicate the uncertainty they are feeling. Another sign of buyer’s remorse.

  5. Use of PO Box – If they choose to have their mailing address changed to a P.O. Box instead of having the mail delivered to the new address, this could be a sign that they are uncertain about whether they will be staying at the new address.

  6. No house warming – Have your friends always made a big dealing about moving into a new house by throwing a big house warming party? If that doesn’t seem to be happening this time around, that could be another sign that they are experiencing some buyer’s remorse.

  7. Visits to real estate open houses – Are they continuing to visit real estate open houses after they signed the deal on the new home? That would be another indicator of uncertainty about their decision.

  8. New For Sale sign – Has the old For Sale sign been replaced with a new one? This is a definite ‘sign’ (forgive the pun) that there is some big dissatisfaction going on within the home.

  9. No invites to visit – Do your friends seem slow to start showing off their new home? Most people are excited to show off their new digs. This could be a sign that they aren’t happy with their purchase.

  10. Furniture in storage – Did they move some of their furniture into storage instead of into the house? This could mean that they don’t expect to be staying in the new home very long and may be looking for another place before giving their furniture a permanent home.

Of course, some of these signs could be present simply due to the busyness of moving and procrastination in getting settled. A new For Sale sign would probably be the most definite clue.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Minneapolis Home Tour with Benefits

The LiveMSP Buying Into the City Home Tour will take place on Saturday May 14th, from 11- 3 in North and South Minneapolis neighborhoods. The starting addresses for the tour are 3835 Fremont Ave N and 4048 5th Avenue S.

Purchase a home on the tour and get a 0% interest, $1,500 loan for closing costs. Get details.

Get a list of homes online.

Submitted by Minneapolis Realtor, Mary Rugani.

Hauling for Hope

I just learned about this great service that makes it easy to donate scrap metal for commercial and residential users. Learn more from their video:



Submitted by Minnesota Real Estate Agent Mary Rugani.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Recouping remodeling costs

Some home remodeling projects you do because you need (think new roof), some you do because you want them (think gazebo out back) but what can you do to increase the value of your home? Realtor Magazine recently announced the top five remodeling projects for recouping costs. The one thing that they're top projects had in common was that they all improved first impressions and most were fairly budget-friendly upgrades. Here they are:

PROJECT 1: Entry Door Replacement (Steel)
Cost $1,218
Resale value $1,243
Cost recouped 102.1%

PROJECT 2: Garage Door Replacement
Cost $1,291
Resale value $1,083
Cost recouped 83.9%

PROJECT 3: Siding Replacement
(Fiber Cement)
Cost $13,382
Resale value $10,707
Cost recouped 72.8%

PROJECT 4: Kitchen Remodel (Minor)
Cost $21,695
Resale value $15,790
Cost recouped 72.8%

PROJECT 5: Deck Addition (Wood)
Cost $10,973
Resale value $7,986
Cost recouped 72.8%

Check out the article for extra advice on how to bring down the cost.

Submitted by exclusive home buyer agent, Mary Rugani.