An increase in new home sales are in the spotlight, thanks to some recent figures
by the Commerce Department, but one should be careful not to speculate too
much about sales outpacing predicted numbers from the beginning of the year.
Small sample sizes, seasonal adjustments and poor geographic weighting can
have undesirable consequences on the reliability of national figures. This is why
locally grown MLS data is often the best source for quality market-informed
nourishment.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 21:
• New Listings increased 22.1% to 1,821
• Pending Sales increased 27.1% to 1,252
• Inventory increased 1.7% to 13,869
For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price increased 9.3% to $200,000
• Days on Market increased 7.1% to 106
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 3.3% to 3.1
Source: Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Why You Should Do An Annual Spring Cleaning
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| Source: vitalitynutrition.com |
I'll admit it. I have yet to do a full-house spring cleaning....ever. And I've owned homes for fourteen years! Maybe you're like me and you have good intentions. You start spring cleaning, but then get overwhelmed after a day or two and decide you'll get to the other tasks next week, which turns into next month, which turns into next year again. And then you have another year's worth of dirt and grime all over the place.
The problem is that your regular household duties like laundry, making dinner, getting groceries and helping the kids with homework don't stop during spring cleaning. So your piling on more work on top of your already overstretched schedule.
But spring cleaning is very important and shouldn't be put off. If you should ever need to sell your house quickly, you'll be so ahead of the game if you've kept up with annual cleanings. What would normally take you over a month could probably be accomplished in a week or two if you didn't have so much grime to banish.
So we know we need to do it and we know that it takes a lot of extra work and effort. So how can we tackle this and stay sane?
The key is to divide it into steps and tackle the most essential spring cleaning tasks first. These are the tasks that you almost never get to during regular cleaning and really only tackle once a year. Here's how to work it all out. We've put together a four week schedule that should help you get the most important (i.e. most neglected) tasks done while still leaving you some space to stay sane.
Week 1: Setting The Stage To Clean
During week one you are going to work hard, but you're not actually going to be doing any spring cleaning. You're going to plan it out and tackle some normal household duties to clear room for the coming weeks of spring cleaning.
- Plan quick and easy meals ahead of time - get out your calendar, figure out which days you're going to devote to cleaning (days that don't have a lot of running kids around) then find your easiest recipes or those that only require a crock pot. And by all means do not forget lots of paper plates and plastic forks!
- Get groceries...lots of groceries! With shopping list in hand based on the meals you planned, you're gonna shop like there's no tomorrow. Have everything on hand to make your easy meals, have lots of snacks, and decide that you won't die if you don't have fresh produce for a couple of weeks other than apples and oranges.
- Set a cleaning schedule and determine the supplies you'll need. Again, try to devote big chunks of time to cleaning. Not just 2 hours, but whole days if you can or at the very least an entire morning or afternoon.
- Get any cleaning supplies you will need.
- Enlist help whenever you can find it. It will make everything faster and more fun to have company.
- Be okay with letting the rest of the house go for a couple of weeks. Each night enlist your family to help you straighten everything up so you can stay somewhat sane. But let dirty sinks and unwashed floors go for a couple weeks.
- Find some good tunes that will keep you motivated. Whether you download a bunch of tracks to your phone or have a bunch of old CD's that you can play, make your time upbeat and fun.
Week 2: Low and High Woodwork
We neglect almost everything that is way below or way above our eyesight. This means baseboards, the tops of cabinets, and ceiling fans. Spend the week tackling these areas.
First vacuum or sweep off the top layer of dust. Then fill a bucket with your favorite cleaning solution for wood and hit the baseboards in the entire house. Work from low to high. Next tackle stair railings, raised panels, built-ins and lower kitchen cabinets. Then grab the ladder and start hitting the high points like upper cabinets - including the tops, door frames and ceiling fans. It's amazing how clean everything looks when your woodwork is shiny and spotless.
Week 3: Work on Walls
Walls are something we neglect unless its to quickly clean up a big splatter. But clean walls feel so good! You will use different cleaning solutions based on the type of paint that you have on each wall, but plain old dish soap and water work well on most. And don't forget those magic erasers!
While you're washing, carry a notebook around with you and note areas that need repair that you can get to at another time. It's so easy to over look little dings and scratches when you're going about your day to day. Make a list of repairs needed and then set aside time at a later date to Spackle, sand and repaint these areas.
Week 4: Kitchen and Laundry
This final week, you're going to spend in your workhorse rooms. In the kitchen, clean inside all your cabinets, and maybe put down new contact paper while you're at it. Pull out your appliances and clean under and behind them (have help with this). Wipe down all your chairs and stools, too. Clean in the corners on the floors where the mop never can reach.
In the laundry room, do a thorough cleaning of your washer and dryer. Pull them out and clean behind and under them as well.
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Weekend Happenings: March 27-29, 2015
Glitter Ball 6: Electric A-Go-Go
Fine Line Music Cafe318 N. 1st Ave., Mpls
March 28, 2015
Doors open 7:30
Cost: $15 general admission; $75 VIP, 21 and older show only
Take a step back in time to the 1960s at Rock the Cause’s Glitter Ball 6 Electric A Go-Go.
Popular Twin Cities Beatles tribute band, Rubber Soul, will take the stage as will some other cover bands playing all your favorites from Jefferson Airplane, the Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, Donovan and more.
Whether you identify as a hippie, rocker or mod doesn’t matter. But you are encouraged to don your favorite ’60s attire and dance till your heart’s content.
You can also snap your pic in a FotoBomb photo booth, complete with a variety of super cool props to help you find your inner go-go style, and enjoy a cast of 1960s-era go-go models showing off the the groovy fashions of Laura Hlavac Designs.
There also will be a nice array of far-out music memorabilia and other items at the “free love” silent auction.
One hundred percent of the ticket purchase benefits Rock the Cause, a nonprofit that combines the power of giving with the power of music. In the organization’s eight years in existence, it has recruited more than 10,000 new members and/or volunteers for nearly 40 nonprofit organizations.
Their most memorable collaboration has been the production and distribution of Zach Sobiech’s song, “Clouds,” which has netted Children’s Cancer Research Fund close to one million dollars in less than two years.
2015 Northwest Sports Show
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S., Mpls
March 26-29, 2015
Thurs: 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Fri: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Cost: Adults $9, Kids 15 and under Free, Thursday 62+ $9
The 2015 Progressive® Insurance Northwest Sportshow® returns to the Minneapolis Convention Center March 25-29, 2015 with the log-rolling, axe-wielding LumberJills, plus seminars on hunting, camping, fishing and travel from the region’s experts, and thousands of the newest outdoors products and accessories, boats, and RV’s. The Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow is the spring season’s must-attend for every outdoors enthusiast.
In addition to the show-stopping LumberJills, highlights of the 2015 sportshow include the Progressive Boat School to boost nautical know-how,Ducks Unlimited Room for important information about wetlands and waterfowl conservation with classes for kids and adults, and live professional casting demonstrations at the Fish Tank.Families can take part in show favorites like the Trout Pond and Adventure Trail Pass, plus Create-a-Crankbait where they can make and take home their own bait.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Improve Your Finances This Year
Tax season is always a good time to re-evaluate your financial situation. There is always room for improvement. Here are some simple actions to incorporate into your life that will help improve your financial situation.
The attitude you have towards money can either make your life a whole lot better or a whole lot worse. A thankful attitude will help you to see all that you do have instead of what you don't. Consider this story from MoneyNing.com.
"I have an espresso machine that pours a set amount of water into the cup. One day, I used a huge mug and it seemed like there was no coffee in there. The coffee obviously didn’t change, but the container (our expectation) did. It seems obvious that the only way to measure how much we have is by looking at the actual volume of coffee but like many, I looked at how empty the mug was. Counter-intuitive and counterproductive."
A budget is really just a plan for what to do with your income and expenses. First, look at your take-home pay (not your general salary). Then consider your fixed expenses like mortgage, utilities, etc. Setting a budget for these amounts is fairly straight forward. Next consider your discretionary spending and set budgets for those accordingly. Anticipate changes, but base it on current use and be realistic.
Remember, for a budget to work, your income needs to be higher than your expenses. If you're expenses exceed your income, you are in financial trouble. You either need to increase your income or slash your expenses.
A budget should allow for some flexibility. It is supposed to work for you, not to constrain you. A budget gives you a reality snapshot of how you're living your life and where to make changes.
Look for some great apps for your phone that can help you keep track real-time and sync it with other family members.
Spending money is always way more fun than saving it. That's why you need to make it into a fun and challenging game. Decide to have a saving money attitude for one month and see what the end result is. Here are some ways to do it:
You've worked on one side of the money equation. Now work on the other, the income side. Making more money helps you achieve your financial goals faster. Here are some things to consider:
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| Photo credit: getrefe.com |
Change Your Attitude (Towards Money)
The attitude you have towards money can either make your life a whole lot better or a whole lot worse. A thankful attitude will help you to see all that you do have instead of what you don't. Consider this story from MoneyNing.com.
"I have an espresso machine that pours a set amount of water into the cup. One day, I used a huge mug and it seemed like there was no coffee in there. The coffee obviously didn’t change, but the container (our expectation) did. It seems obvious that the only way to measure how much we have is by looking at the actual volume of coffee but like many, I looked at how empty the mug was. Counter-intuitive and counterproductive."
Create A Monthly Budget
A budget is really just a plan for what to do with your income and expenses. First, look at your take-home pay (not your general salary). Then consider your fixed expenses like mortgage, utilities, etc. Setting a budget for these amounts is fairly straight forward. Next consider your discretionary spending and set budgets for those accordingly. Anticipate changes, but base it on current use and be realistic.
Remember, for a budget to work, your income needs to be higher than your expenses. If you're expenses exceed your income, you are in financial trouble. You either need to increase your income or slash your expenses.
A budget should allow for some flexibility. It is supposed to work for you, not to constrain you. A budget gives you a reality snapshot of how you're living your life and where to make changes.
Look for some great apps for your phone that can help you keep track real-time and sync it with other family members.
Make Saving Money a Habit
Spending money is always way more fun than saving it. That's why you need to make it into a fun and challenging game. Decide to have a saving money attitude for one month and see what the end result is. Here are some ways to do it:
- Direct deposit: Most banks will let you set up an automatic transfer every pay period. If you already are doing this, consider increasing it by 10%.
- Save the change: Anytime you pay in cash, you likely get a bunch of coins back. Make it a habit to clean out your pockets and your purse each day and put all the coins in a jar.
- Pay yourself: Whether you want to help stop a bad habit or want to reward yourself for doing something good, put a price tag on it. For every swear word, add a dollar to the jar. Or for every cookie you resist, put in some money.
Hopefully by the end of the month, you will have made a new habit for yourself and you will have saved more money than if you'd done nothing.
Tax Withholding
After your taxes are complete, take a look at how much you are withholding. Did you get a refund? Then you're giving the government an interest free loan, when you could have that interest making money for you.
Evaluate your tax situation and see if there are any changes that can be made. And if you did get that refund, put it in the bank.
Max Out Your Retirement
Not investing any money into a retirement account? Start now. If you're already doing so, work towards maxing out what you can put into retirement. This should be a no-brainer anytime you get a bump in pay.
Once you've maxed out your retirement savings, then you can look to invest additional money. Find easy-to-use online options like Betterment.com that help you with investing.
Slash Your Expenses
You probably started this process when you made your budget. But continue to look for ways to lower you expenses. Negotiate with your cell phone provider and you cable provider. Price shop on insurance. Find ways to lower your food budget. Find ways to do fun things cheaper.
Be a detective and work at finding ways to get things cheaper or free. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Pay Down Your Debt
Don't spend that money you just slashed. Use it to pay down your debt load. Student loans, credit card debt, car loan, mortgage...you are paying interest on all of them. Not to mention that there is a lot of stuff you could be doing with those monthly payments.
Determine how much money you are paying in interest on all of your debt. Then figure out your debt free date for each loan. By paying more than the minimum each month, you lower that total interest money, which is basically paying someone to let you loan money from them.
Start with the highest interest loan and tackle that first. Once that is paid off, use the money you were spending on that loan to tackle the next one. Before you know it, you'll be debt free and feel really rich.
Increase Your Income
You've worked on one side of the money equation. Now work on the other, the income side. Making more money helps you achieve your financial goals faster. Here are some things to consider:
- Ask for a raise and have the backup to show why you deserve it.
- Find a side job doing something you really enjoy like pet sitting, working at a coffee shop or freelance writing. Remember, it doesn't have to be forever, unless you want it to be.
- Sell unwanted items on ebay, craigslist or your local paper.
- Sell things you make. Salsa, woodworking, art, crocheted blankets...there are always people who are willing to buy. Set up a shop on etsy, or use the avenues listed in the above bullet point.
- Unsatisfied in your current position and feel you're worth more? Consider changing careers but keep in mind the costs of getting up to speed and on work-life balance.
Donate To Charity
No matter how much or little you make most likely there is someone in this world who is way less fortunate than you. Take some time to write down your values. Do your values line up with your expenses? Are you spending your money on what you think is important in life? If not, consider changing how you spend your money. Your spending should reflect your values.
More than just a tax benefit, the money you give to those who need it more will always have its own rewards. Manage your money wisely so that you can spend lavishly on those things that matter most to you.
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors, and MoneyNing.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Weekly Market Update: March 23, 2015
Have rents gone up enough to get renters to lean toward homeownership again? That’s the question of the moment. With mortgage rates remaining low, the time may be ripe for renters to invest in something beyond a 12-month lease as rental affordability is beginning to border on unaffordability.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 14:
• New Listings increased 20.6% to 1,765
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 14:
• New Listings increased 20.6% to 1,765
• Pending Sales increased 14.3% to 1,040
• Inventory increased 1.4% to 13,523
For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price increased 9.3% to $200,000
• Days on Market increased 7.1% to 106
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 94.2%
• Inventory increased 1.4% to 13,523
For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price increased 9.3% to $200,000
• Days on Market increased 7.1% to 106
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 3.3% to 3.1
Monday, March 23, 2015
Let There Be Light
I never understand it when I see a big house with very small windows or worse yet, entire sides of a house with no windows. Not only does it look unbalanced and off, but it must be dark in there also. Natural light sets a calming mood. It makes your house look cleaner and happier. And it can save you from having to flip on a light switch every time you enter a room.
If you have small windows, consider replacing them with larger windows. And if the whole house is too much to take on at once, concentrate on the sunniest side first.
And if you have an especially beautiful view, like a lake or woods or large meadow, consider converting entire sections of wall into windows to bring nature inside. It will completely change the feel of your home, both inside and out.
Enjoy the view!
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| Source: oneuglyhouse.blogspot.com |
If you have small windows, consider replacing them with larger windows. And if the whole house is too much to take on at once, concentrate on the sunniest side first.
And if you have an especially beautiful view, like a lake or woods or large meadow, consider converting entire sections of wall into windows to bring nature inside. It will completely change the feel of your home, both inside and out.
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| Source: lushome.com |
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| Source: dailyhomedecorideas.com |
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| Source: ontrus.com |
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| Source: iseecubed.com |
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| Source: lushome.com |
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| Source: designboom.com |
Enjoy the view!
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Weekend Happenings: March 20-22, 2015
Maple Syrup Festival
Wargo Nature Center
7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
March 22, 2015
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $4/person, pre-registration required
Come and celebrate spring! Learn about the tradition of gathering maple sap and cooking it down to make maple syrup and sugar. We’ll go through the syrup process, do some maple crafts, participate in a spring scavenger hunt and taste some maple-y treats. Fun for the whole family! Pre-registration is required.
Wargo Nature Center
7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
March 22, 2015
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $4/person, pre-registration required
Come and celebrate spring! Learn about the tradition of gathering maple sap and cooking it down to make maple syrup and sugar. We’ll go through the syrup process, do some maple crafts, participate in a spring scavenger hunt and taste some maple-y treats. Fun for the whole family! Pre-registration is required.
8th Floor of Macy's downtown
700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls
March 21 to April 4, 2015
Starts at 5:30, full schedule posted online
Cost: Free
It’s a sure sign on spring. For the past 41 years, the Macy’s Flower Show has been delighting visitors with elaborate gardens and beautiful arrangements. This year’s theme is “Art in Bloom!” with gorgeous displays inspired by centuries of artistic genius and thousands of flowers. Check out cooking demos, a floral arrangement class, a painting class and more.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Save Money By Becoming A DIYer
Some people are just not born with the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) gene. For those deficient in the DIY gene, changing a light bulb can even present a challenge. If you fall under this category and you like to save money, I urge you to at least try to learn a few basic home fixes. Why? Because paying someone to do something you could learn to do yourself wastes a lot of money.
We've outlined some common home maintenance/repair items that are usually easy for a regular DIYer and how much it costs to farm out that work. You'll see that if you could bone up on your skills, you could save a lot of money by just paying for materials and skipping the labor costs.
1. Replace Toilet Fill Valves
That annoying sound of water continually filling and draining from your toilet tank is often caused by leaky fill valve, which a plumber can replace, stopping water waste and restoring quiet. Plumber rates vary widely around the country, from $45 to $150 per hour, and the job will take about two hours — the minimum some plumbers require just to take the job.
Labor: $50 to $200
Materials: $11 to $23
The water torture drip-drip-drip from a leaky faucet won’t just drive you insane, it can drive up water bills, too. Depending on the type of faucet you have, fixes typically involve replacing damaged rubber washers (10 for $2), O-rings (10 for $2), or a faucet cartridge ($8 to $30).
Labor: $95 to $300
Materials: $2 to $30
Total: $97 to $330
3. Replace Ceiling Fan
If you’ve got a ceiling fan, sooner or later the motor will burn out, the blades will warp, and fashions will change, so you’ll need to replace it. Replacing isn’t a big deal, because upgraded wiring, a reinforced ceiling box, and a light switch with ceiling fan controls are already in place. What you’re paying for is an electrician’s time — one or two hours — and a new fixture.
Labor: $50 to $200
Materials: $54 to $1,000 and up
Total: $104 to $1,200
Nicks, gashes, and smashes inevitably mar your beautiful walls. You’ll have to patch and paint to make them look as good as new. A painter can do both jobs and will probably give you a flat rate that will include patching or filling blemishes, then sanding, priming, and painting.
Painters charge $25 to $62 per hour for labor or $2.68 to $4.60 per square foot including materials. Figure it will take about three hours to repair a wall, including drying time for the patching compound and paint. It’s a good idea to save up painting chores so you have enough to keep a painter busy while repairs cure.
Materials include paint at $12 to $50 or more a gallon, which should cover about 350 square feet; plus another $10 to $50 for brushes, rollers, drop clothes, and drywall patching compound.
Labor: $75 to $186
Materials: $22 to $100
Total: $97 to $286
Tile is hard and durable, but drop something heavy on it and it’s likely to crack — a reason to always order more tile than you need so you’ll always have spares. To replace cracked tiles, a handyman must pry out the damaged tiles, scrape away old fixative, re-glue new tiles, and spread new grout. Replacing a 2-foot-by-2-foot section of tile should take one to two hours, not including the drying time required for the adhesive to set.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $1 to $20 per square foot
Total: $34 to $430
Caulk is the waterproof seal around sinks, tubs, and showers that prevents moisture from seeping through gaps and onto drywall and flooring. When caulk cracks or peels, it should be replaced immediately to prevent mold and rot.
A handyman can dig out old caulk around a tub and reseal with new in about an hour.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $1 to $4 for a tube of bathroom caulk
Total: $31 to $354
Gutters and downspouts carry water from rain and snow away from your house and onto the ground. Sometimes the weight of wet snow and soggy leaves puts too much pressure on gutters, causing them to pull away from the house or pitch at inefficient angles.
A gutter contractor will clean gutters, and replace or reinstall supportive hardware and hangers. To restore the correct pitch, the contractor must detach and reattach each gutter section.
Labor: $127 to $282 (depending on length of gutter)
Materials: $10 for five hangers; $6 to $9 for gutter sealant
Total: $143 to $301
Over time, your house moves as its foundation settles and building materials expand and contract with changes in humidity. The movement often is noticed when doorframes shift slightly, causing hinges to creak and doors to not shut properly.
Adding wooden shims to frames and hinges can bring doors back into alignment and let them easily open and close once again. Replacing worn-out screws with longer screws helps secure hinges tightly.
A handyman can fix a door in about an hour. Materials will include shims and screws.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $5
Total: $35 to $355
If your house isn’t insulated correctly or your roof isn’t designed correctly, melting roof snow can run off and freeze around roof edges. Eventually, this can form an ice dam that creeps up your roof, damaging shingles and forcing melting water into your home.
One popular solution to ice damming is to install a heating cable along the roof’s edge, which warms the area and prevents freezing. It’s not a DIY job. Roofing contractors will install the cable, and an electrician will install outlets that will juice up the cable. If you want a thermostat to turn the cable on and off automatically, that’ll be extra, too.
Labor and materials: $30 to $60 per linear foot
Total: $371 to $1,319 (average job cost)
Sometimes you turn on the light but nothing happens; or sparks crackle, and the light turns on. It’s disconcerting, but most likely it’s an easy fix. An electrician will turn off the power, take off the faceplate, check and perhaps tighten wires; or replace the switch. All told, it will take less than an hour.
Labor: $50 to $100 per hour
Materials: $1 to $6 for a single pole light switch
Total: $41 to $106
We've outlined some common home maintenance/repair items that are usually easy for a regular DIYer and how much it costs to farm out that work. You'll see that if you could bone up on your skills, you could save a lot of money by just paying for materials and skipping the labor costs.
1. Replace Toilet Fill Valves
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| Source: yogisplumbing.com |
That annoying sound of water continually filling and draining from your toilet tank is often caused by leaky fill valve, which a plumber can replace, stopping water waste and restoring quiet. Plumber rates vary widely around the country, from $45 to $150 per hour, and the job will take about two hours — the minimum some plumbers require just to take the job.
Labor: $50 to $200
Materials: $11 to $23
Total: $66 to $223
2. Repair a Leaky Faucet
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| Source: bluletter.com |
Labor: $95 to $300
Materials: $2 to $30
Total: $97 to $330
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| Source: diynetwork.com |
If you’ve got a ceiling fan, sooner or later the motor will burn out, the blades will warp, and fashions will change, so you’ll need to replace it. Replacing isn’t a big deal, because upgraded wiring, a reinforced ceiling box, and a light switch with ceiling fan controls are already in place. What you’re paying for is an electrician’s time — one or two hours — and a new fixture.
Labor: $50 to $200
Materials: $54 to $1,000 and up
Total: $104 to $1,200
4. Repair Drywall
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| Source: youtube.com |
Nicks, gashes, and smashes inevitably mar your beautiful walls. You’ll have to patch and paint to make them look as good as new. A painter can do both jobs and will probably give you a flat rate that will include patching or filling blemishes, then sanding, priming, and painting.
Painters charge $25 to $62 per hour for labor or $2.68 to $4.60 per square foot including materials. Figure it will take about three hours to repair a wall, including drying time for the patching compound and paint. It’s a good idea to save up painting chores so you have enough to keep a painter busy while repairs cure.
Materials include paint at $12 to $50 or more a gallon, which should cover about 350 square feet; plus another $10 to $50 for brushes, rollers, drop clothes, and drywall patching compound.
Labor: $75 to $186
Materials: $22 to $100
Total: $97 to $286
5. Repair Cracked Tile
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| Source: integraltile.com |
Tile is hard and durable, but drop something heavy on it and it’s likely to crack — a reason to always order more tile than you need so you’ll always have spares. To replace cracked tiles, a handyman must pry out the damaged tiles, scrape away old fixative, re-glue new tiles, and spread new grout. Replacing a 2-foot-by-2-foot section of tile should take one to two hours, not including the drying time required for the adhesive to set.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $1 to $20 per square foot
Total: $34 to $430
6. Replace Caulk Around Tubs, Sinks, and Showers
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| Source: diynetwork.com |
Caulk is the waterproof seal around sinks, tubs, and showers that prevents moisture from seeping through gaps and onto drywall and flooring. When caulk cracks or peels, it should be replaced immediately to prevent mold and rot.
A handyman can dig out old caulk around a tub and reseal with new in about an hour.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $1 to $4 for a tube of bathroom caulk
Total: $31 to $354
7. Fix Gutters
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| Source: redbeacon.com |
Gutters and downspouts carry water from rain and snow away from your house and onto the ground. Sometimes the weight of wet snow and soggy leaves puts too much pressure on gutters, causing them to pull away from the house or pitch at inefficient angles.
A gutter contractor will clean gutters, and replace or reinstall supportive hardware and hangers. To restore the correct pitch, the contractor must detach and reattach each gutter section.
Labor: $127 to $282 (depending on length of gutter)
Materials: $10 for five hangers; $6 to $9 for gutter sealant
Total: $143 to $301
8. Fix Out-of-Alignment Doors
Over time, your house moves as its foundation settles and building materials expand and contract with changes in humidity. The movement often is noticed when doorframes shift slightly, causing hinges to creak and doors to not shut properly.
Adding wooden shims to frames and hinges can bring doors back into alignment and let them easily open and close once again. Replacing worn-out screws with longer screws helps secure hinges tightly.
A handyman can fix a door in about an hour. Materials will include shims and screws.
Labor: $30 to $125 per hour; with possible $150 to $350 minimum charge for a handyman
Materials: $5
Total: $35 to $355
9. Repair Ice Damming
If your house isn’t insulated correctly or your roof isn’t designed correctly, melting roof snow can run off and freeze around roof edges. Eventually, this can form an ice dam that creeps up your roof, damaging shingles and forcing melting water into your home.
One popular solution to ice damming is to install a heating cable along the roof’s edge, which warms the area and prevents freezing. It’s not a DIY job. Roofing contractors will install the cable, and an electrician will install outlets that will juice up the cable. If you want a thermostat to turn the cable on and off automatically, that’ll be extra, too.
Labor and materials: $30 to $60 per linear foot
Total: $371 to $1,319 (average job cost)
10. Fix a Faulty Light Switch
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| Source: danramsey.com |
Sometimes you turn on the light but nothing happens; or sparks crackle, and the light turns on. It’s disconcerting, but most likely it’s an easy fix. An electrician will turn off the power, take off the faceplate, check and perhaps tighten wires; or replace the switch. All told, it will take less than an hour.
Labor: $50 to $100 per hour
Materials: $1 to $6 for a single pole light switch
Total: $41 to $106
If you had to fix every one of these problems in one year the cost to have the work hired out versus the cost to DIY would be:
Total Cost to Hire Out: $1,019 to $4,904
Total Cost to DIY: $137 to $1,257
That's a significant savings! So get on the internet and find some DIY videos and articles, go to your local library and find some books, and even find a DIY mentor to show you how it's done. Learn some of these basic fixes and you'll save a lot of money.
Source: Houselogic.com and Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Weekly Market Update: March 16, 2014
Many residential real estate markets across the country and locally are in a fairly stable state of balance, causing most stories about housing to be conservative in
nature with not much change to report. As the weather continues to warm up
across the country, more sales are expected.
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 7:
• New Listings increased 31.7% to 1,915
• Pending Sales increased 34.1% to 1,098
• Inventory increased 0.3% to 13,018
For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price increased 9.3% to $200,000
• Days on Market increased 7.1% to 106
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 3.3% to 3.1
Source: Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending March 7:
• New Listings increased 31.7% to 1,915
• Pending Sales increased 34.1% to 1,098
• Inventory increased 0.3% to 13,018
For the month of February:
• Median Sales Price increased 9.3% to $200,000
• Days on Market increased 7.1% to 106
• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.7% to 94.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 3.3% to 3.1
Source: Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors
Monday, March 16, 2015
Words Matter
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| credit: Wordle.net |
Given that a picture is worth a thousand words, you might think that the description that is given about your home in it's listing doesn't really mean much to buyers. But you'd be very wrong.
According to Point2Homes.com, words used in a listing can cause a listing to sell faster and for more money. And its not only the words that you use but how descriptive they are as well. For instance, people are more drawn to "Soaking Tub" instead of just "Bath Tub".
Generally, using words that convey a sense of luxury and money will work well for your listing. Words like "Generous", "Custom", "Spacious", "Beautiful", "Upscale", "Luxurious", "High Quality" and "Designer" can help your listing to shine.
Certain geographical areas are more attuned to specific kinds of words. For instance, in the midwest words like "Move In Condition", "Attached Garage", and "Gas Fireplace" were among the most used words listed for sold homes. Whereas in the southern states "Heated Pool" helped homes sell and in the west "Mountain Views" really helped.
The price of the listing will also affect what words will work best. For homes under $1 million, most agents use words like "Well Maintained", "Lots of Storage" and "Covered Front Porch". Those in higher priced brackets had higher demands. In homes over $1 million the word that really helps sell a home is "Private". You will also see words like "Home Theater", "Ocean Views", and "Guest House".
And just as well chosen words work for you, some can also work against you. Words like "Fixer", "Investment Opportunity", "Quaint", "Potential" and "Bargain" may work against you in your listing.
In the end, price still matters most over all other things when it comes to selling a house. Be sure your home is priced correctly, and then make every word count in your listing.
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors.
According to Point2Homes.com, words used in a listing can cause a listing to sell faster and for more money. And its not only the words that you use but how descriptive they are as well. For instance, people are more drawn to "Soaking Tub" instead of just "Bath Tub".
Generally, using words that convey a sense of luxury and money will work well for your listing. Words like "Generous", "Custom", "Spacious", "Beautiful", "Upscale", "Luxurious", "High Quality" and "Designer" can help your listing to shine.
Certain geographical areas are more attuned to specific kinds of words. For instance, in the midwest words like "Move In Condition", "Attached Garage", and "Gas Fireplace" were among the most used words listed for sold homes. Whereas in the southern states "Heated Pool" helped homes sell and in the west "Mountain Views" really helped.
The price of the listing will also affect what words will work best. For homes under $1 million, most agents use words like "Well Maintained", "Lots of Storage" and "Covered Front Porch". Those in higher priced brackets had higher demands. In homes over $1 million the word that really helps sell a home is "Private". You will also see words like "Home Theater", "Ocean Views", and "Guest House".
And just as well chosen words work for you, some can also work against you. Words like "Fixer", "Investment Opportunity", "Quaint", "Potential" and "Bargain" may work against you in your listing.
In the end, price still matters most over all other things when it comes to selling a house. Be sure your home is priced correctly, and then make every word count in your listing.
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Weekend Happenings: March 13-15, 2015
Luck O' The Lake 5K Fun Run
Excelsior Brewing Co. to Jake O'Conner's Public House
37 Water Street, Excelsior
March 14, 2015
9:30 am - Race starts
Cost: Free to Attend
• Traditional Music
Excelsior Brewing Co. to Jake O'Conner's Public House
37 Water Street, Excelsior
March 14, 2015
9:30 am - Race starts
Cost: Free to Attend
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| Credit: Austin Images Photography |
Celebrate St. Paddy's Day on the Festive streets of Excelsior and scenic Greenwood. Come dressed in the spirit of St. Paddy's Day. There will be a huge heated tent party, live music all day long, Irish dancing, and lots of fun.
Landmark Center
75 5th St. W., St. Paul
March 15, 2015
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: $6 Adults, $4 kids 5-12
A day long celebration of Irish dance with music, theater, food and a Celtic Marketplace.
• Traditional Music
• Dance Schools
• Dance Performance Groups
• Vendors / Exhibitors
• Vendors / Exhibitors
• Tea Room
• Traditional Food
• Great Activities for all ages!
• Great Activities for all ages!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Headboard Alternatives
You've been meaning to get around to searching for a headboard for your bed, but you just can't seem to make up your mind. Or you have a headboard but it's ho-hum and boring. Here are some great ideas that you can use instead of an attached headboard.
Salvaged Architectural Pieces
Find pieces that have some wear and tear to add character. The more embellished the better.
Hanging Textiles
Working With Wood
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
Salvaged Architectural Pieces
Find pieces that have some wear and tear to add character. The more embellished the better.
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| Source: pointerior.com |
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| Source: interiordesign2015.com |
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| Source: pinterest.com |
Hanging Textiles
Gorgeous rugs and other textiles create an instant focal point. And they are easy to move around if you want to rearrange your room.
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| Source: twoinspiredesign.com |
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| Source: guiltypleasure.com |
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| Source: domainehome.com |
Form and Function
To get the most out of your space or to separate a rather large room, use furniture as a headboard that will also act as a room partition. It can be a stand alone piece or built-in.
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| Source: homedit.com |
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| Source: prettyoldhouses.blogspot.com |
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| Source: designsofthome.com |
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| Source: shelterness.com |
Be Artful
If you have a love of art, it will show throughout your home. And what better place to have it than where you'll see it every morning and every night.
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| Source: popsugar.com |
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| Source: pinterest.com |
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| Source: elementsofstyleblog.com |
Make It Plush
Stuffed and soft, a perfect place to rest your head. Check out all the ways to add a plush background for you bed.
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| Source: shaktiwest.com |
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| Source: chaddugas.com |
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| Source: popsugar.com |
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| Source: eclecticlivinghome.com |
Working With Wood
Wood is in right now and in all imaginable ways.
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| Source: revistamuebles.com |
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Source: workinghomeguide.com |
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| Source: ciiwa.com |
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| Source: apartment34.com |
Be Playful
The bedroom can be fun in more ways than one! Use your imagination and come up with a fun headboard that suits your personality.
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| Source: homefonix.com |
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| Source: transpersonalart.com |
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| Source: charlesprogers.com |
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| Source: freshome.com |
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| Source: athomeinlove.com |
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
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