Archive for the ‘home remodeling’ Category
Uncle Sam Pays the Tab for New Windows
Does a cold draft blow around your head while you relax in your easy chair? Does the sound of actual street noise drown out the sound of the NASCAR race on TV? If you answered “Yes” to either question…it might be time to replace those old, drafty, ugly, noisy, single paned, aluminum frame windows with some good looking, energy efficient ones.
Why Replacing Your Windows Pays Off…
- New windows improve the curb appeal and increase the value of any home.
- Buyers pay up for new windows. Numerous studies show that home sellers recoop 90+ percent of the costs for window replacement at the time of sale.
- Homeowners realize the energy savings immediately, while increasing comfort.
- Energy efficient windows are a Green home selling feature.
- New models of windows are easy to clean and maintain.
- Improve your view. New glass is so clear it’s just like looking through… nothing at all.
- Maybe Best of All…Uncle Sam Pays for It. The government will pay 30 percent of the cost (up to $1500) to replace the windows in your home through December 31, 2010. And, don’t forget to check out the additional rebates and savings on windows that are being offered in most states, cities and townships.
Tip for a Tight Budget
- Just replace some of the windows. Choose the ones on the front of the home, because they improve the curb appeal. Or, replace the windows that get hammered by the most weather, be it sun, rain, snow or wind.
- Or, Roll the Dice…and, maximize the tax credit by replacing half of the windows in 2010. Then, gamble on an extension of the credit into 2011 and replace the other half.
- Uncle Sam picks up a Third of your bill and smile (:
Practical Advice About Window Replacement
- Use a company that carries a wide range of window brands. Make sure they use their own employee’s (not subcontractors) to do the installation.
- Profit from the Housing Crash. Be a hard negotiator and get at least 3 quotes. You can save Big on labor and materials because the housing market is slow.
- Replacing windows is a big, messy job. Cover up anything important such as electronics and furniture. Sawing and Ripping out windows is dirty business, no matter how good the installer.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. We have a program for home sellers that offers the MLS, Realtor.com and advertisement on dozens of real estate listing posts for one cheap price…and the seller keeps the commission. Call 1-800-381-9496 or visit http://www.why6percent.com today for the details. You will be happy that you did!!!
Free Cash & Reduced Costs for Home Improvements
Now is a great time to make home improvements, repairs or take care of past due maintenance. If you are selling your home, improvements will certainly make your home sell faster and for more money. If you’re not selling a home, rebates, lower material and labor costs, and cheap financing provide perfect timing for sprucing up your residence.
Through 2010, homeowners who install energy efficient windows, insulation, roofs, doors or heating and air systems can apply for a 30 percent (up to $1500) tax credit for each product they purchase.
Even better….homeowners can receive a 30 percent tax credit through 2016 (with no spending limits) when they purchase green, energy saving products such as solar systems, geothermal heating pumps, small wind systems, residential fuel cells or micro turbines. For complete details, visit the Energy Stars Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency website.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Advertise your home on the MLS, Realtor.com, Google, MSN, Zillow and most major search engines for real estate for 6 months for only $399. Why Pay 6 Percent??????
Interior Trim and Moldings Dress Up a Home
When selling your home for top dollar, it’s crucial that you present your home in its best light. One easy, do-it- yourself way to create interest, while improving flow and uniformity is with the use of baseboard and ceiling trim.
(Chops up the space)
Tip: Avoid chopping up the flow of your home by painting or staining all moldings and baseboard the same color throughout the home.
Tip: Add moldings over windows or doors to provide architectural interest or to draw attention to views.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. We offer for sale by owners a marketing package that includes the MLS and Realtor.com advertising. Visit the site for details today!
Easy Way to Remove Carpet Stains
If your home is on the market, you know how important staging and first impressions are to your sales success. If your carpet is stained, and you can’t replace it, then use these proven professional tips to remove the stain.
- For most carpet stains: Mix Equal Parts of white vinegar and water. Spray mixture onto the stain and blot up with a sponge.
- For Tough Stubborn Stains: Mix Equal Parts of Borax, white vinegar and salt. Rub paste into the carpet fibers and let set overnight. Vaccum the next morning, and presto, your stain will be gone.
These carpet stain cleaning recipes are green, cheap and they work. One thing that never works…placing a throw rug over a stain in a carpeted room. Everyone knows that rugs over carpeting mean bad stain. And, believe me buyer’s always lift up the rug to verify! Then, they wonder what else you’re hiding….
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. We offer MLS and Realtor.com marketing exposure for owners, builders and investors. Reach 10 millions home shoppers each month and save thousands in commissions and fee’s. Why Pay 6 Percent??? Buy the MLS for only $399.
Tip for Home Sellers. Declutter
One of our customers ask for help in determining why their home has not sold. After doing some research, I was a bit perplexed. In going down the “must do” checklist for selling a home, it seemed that they had done everything correctly. The asking price was in the middle range for the neighborhood; They wisely used the internet to market the property. The home was featured on the MLS, InfoTube.net, Realtor.com and other major search engines for real estate; They were readily available for showings and returned emails and calls quickly. Nothing jumped out as being the reason other homes had sold, while theirs sat on the market…until I saw the pictures of the property. 
My first impression was that the seller forgot the about the Three D’s of staging a home to sell. This home had so much ”stuff” inside, that prospective buyers couldn’t see the room or picture themselves living there.
The 3 D’s: Declutter, Depersonalize and Decorate.
Declutter: This living area is a great size, but buyer’s wouldn’t know it. We recommended that the seller remove the area rug; the loveseat; all plants, stands and shelves from the bay window area; blue chair; at least one wall hutch; and the sofa table in the dining area. Rearrange the furniture that remains to maximize floor space and invite traffic flow toward the windows.
Depersonalize: Pack away all the toys, collectables and personal photographs.
Decorate: (1) Bay windows are a big selling feature, so make them stand out. Add a simple, solid color, sheer drapery treatment to draw the buyers eye; Pull the blinds all the way to the top of the window to let all the light in. (2) Beige walls, beige floor, beige ceiling, beige sofa’s…yawn… A warm neutral paint color on the walls would add interest and life to the room. Choose a thatched straw or color that is in the print hanging over the sofa. Pick up some fun throw pillows, candles, etc. to add spice and pop to the decor. (3) Consider losing the dated dining room fixture and pink table lamp. The ceiling is too low for a big hanging fixture and it breaks up the openness of the room. Try a ceiling mounted fixture or the simple, popular pendant lights
to add interest and flare to the room. (4) The dining room furniture is stylish. Remove the table cloth and place settings. Add a vase of fresh flowers or a grouping of candles instead.
Take a look at the Before and After picture below from a different home. See that by following the 3 D principle, the homeowner made a huge impact without spending a lot of money. For example, see the difference that removing the drapes and rugs made. Zero expense. Zero Effort. Big Result.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. We are here to help you sell your home. If you aren’t advertising on the internet and the MLS, you are missing thousands of buyers. Call us or visit the site today to promote your property with one click of your mouse.
Avoid Trendy Home Updates or Remodels
If you plan to update or remodel your home, and you want to get the most Bang for Your Buck, you should avoid the temptation to be real trendy or exceptionally taste specific.
Although, some of the new “I Want That’s” are very Cool, it can be difficult to predict the difference between an evolving style (recently, stainless appliances and stone counters) and short term fad’s like leasure suits, wallpapering or orange shag carpeting. In order to get the most resale value for your improvements, stick to the classics that offer universal type appeal. Chose time tested products and trusted brands. Enduring value is something that appeals to everyone.
Tip: Chosing the latest and greatest thing you saw in Architectural Digest is not only risky for resale, its more expensive, too. For the greatest return on your money, buy smartly, and spend the money you save on updating those dated porch lights.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. If you are interested in advertising your property on the MLS, Realtor.com, Google, MSN, Yahoo and other other major real estate sites, CLICK HERE for pricing and details.
Please Update Your Bathroom Lighting
If The 80’s called, they want their lights back!!
If you haven’t replaced the lighting in your bathroom since the 1980’s or 1990’s, you really should. Nothing turns off buyer’s as quickly as an outdated bathroom. And, while a total remodel may not be appropriate, changing out the light fixtures is cheap and easy to do yourself.
Turn off the power before you take the old fixture down. The job shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes and your bathroom will make a much better impression on buyers.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Homebuyers are out looking in mass, these days. They have only 90 days left before the $8000 Buyer Credit Expires. Make sure your home is on the MLS or Realtor.com and it shows well. Your chances of getting an offer now, are better than they have been in years.
Cash for Old Refrigerators and Appliances
The government stimulus package includes $300 million in rebates for your old appliances. If you need to upgrade, now is the time. Click HERE to read about what qualifies, with tips, pro’s and con’s.
Thank you for visiting Why 6 Percent.com. We have helped home seller’s save thousand of dollars when they need to sell. And, we can help you, too. Visit the site or call 1-800-381-9496 for details!!
Save Energy Bills with an Insulating Coat of Paint
Smart home sellers know that a fresh coat of paint increases the saleability of any home, but did you also know that it can cut your utility bill, too?
A new paint additive, Insuladd, cuts heating and cooling costs, reduces mold and mildew and can be used with any interior or exterior paint.
To read more about the product and its remarkable qualities, CLICK HERE.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. We help home sellers reach millions of buyers every day. See how we can help you sell your home, while saving thousands of dollars in commissions.
Remodeling and Updating Pick Up Due to Dead Housing Market
Lowes and Home Depot report that homeowner’s, who can’t sell their homes, are beginning to update and remodel them.
The uptrend in home improvement favors projects that any do-it-yourself homeowner can do such as painting and landspaping. The exception to the diy trend is installing new windows, as sales are up even though the improvement is usually done by a hired professional.
Although consumers are beginning to purchase items such as door and cabinet hardware, blinds and window treatments, screens, key and lock sets etc. both stores report that sales of high end products are still in the doldrums, as the US suffers through the worst recession seen in decades.
Thank you for visiting Why 6 Percent. We have helped thousands of people successfully sell their homes and save thousands of dollars in commissions and fee’s. Who is Helping You???