Porches come in a multitude of styles, shapes, and designs from simple outdoor partial enclosures to three-season temperature controlled rooms. They provide shelter, [...]]]> The porch has long represented openness, attainability, and friendliness. It’s the part of the house that remains unclaimed, belonging to whomever happens to be occupying it, family, friends and neighbors alike.

Porches come in a multitude of styles, shapes, and designs from simple outdoor partial enclosures to three-season temperature controlled rooms. They provide shelter, comfort and entertaining space. In some climates a porch is a seasonal addition, and in others, a year round out-door living space.

Do these attributes factor into the value?

Regardless of the emotional and social benefits – front porches are generally accepted to be a sound investment. The economy, your neighborhood, the house itself, these are all variables that make a promise of added value an impossibility. For example, maybe all your neighbors have added a front porch and you haven’t – adding one will keep your value competitive. However, if you’ve added a gorgeous front porch, but neglected the interiors, the investment return may not be so visible.

What almost everyone can agree on – when it comes to curb appeal  – you can’t beat a front porch!

Read more about calculating value with a front porch.

When calculating the potential expense, don’t forget to factor in electrical and any possible heating/cooling costs.

Finally, adhere to permitting requirements. Requirements vary by municipality – so you will want to hunt around, or get some professional advice (architect, builder, contractor).

Are you dreaming of a new front porch?

Smart houses  have highly advanced, interconnected, automated systems that [...]]]> What do George Jetson, Tony Stark and Bill Gates have in common? They all live in incredibly smart homes. Modern technologies have made this once fictional and out-of-reach home into a real, and more than at any point in our history, attainable possibility.

Smart houses  have highly advanced, interconnected, automated systems that can be manipulated in the home, or remotely. Most houses today are “smarter” than they were even a five years ago.

But what defines a house as “smart” boils down to where technology and design meet. The smartest homes are digital by design – with an elaborate relationship between foundation, architecture, hardware and software. Features include:

• Interconnected Personal Computing (anything with a chip is connected to your PC, the homes central “command system”).
• Personalized Home Automation (comfort and other features that are adapted for you and your guests)
• Media Entertainment Systems
• Security
• Climate Control
• Smart Architecture (a home designed to best support the technology and smart features)

From property-wide interconnected lighting design, audio and visual features to heating/cooling and more, much more. Before we know it, we will be walking out our front door and leaving it up to our home to shut off the lights, lock up and put the crock pot on warm. All the control will be remote and the customization will be beyond (most of our) imaginations.

More on smart homes:

http://www.smarthome.eu/a/what-is-a-smart-home.html

http://home.howstuffworks.com/smart-home.htm

How smart is your home?

Small efforts with big impact include: Earth day is over – but we’re thinking green all year. We don’t all buy, or inherit earth-friendly homes, but it may be easier than you think to turn your home to a brighter shade of green! These updates are better than affordable, they save you money every day.

Small efforts with big impact include:
• Plant drought resistant plants
• Take fewer showers
• Buy energy efficient light bulbs
• Recycle
• Put a timer on your water heater

When you are in the market for new, these larger investments make a significant difference to the environment and your wallet over time:
• Home
• Car
• Appliances
• Heating and cooling systems

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It’s not just an environmental solution – it’s the choice of savvy savers!

From the now-familiar – bamboo flooring, non-toxic paint [...]]]> We couldn’t let the month of April get away from us without a nod to Mother Earth. As more focus is given to “green” building, we continue to see the development and increased use of earth friendly home building products and materials.

From the now-familiar – bamboo flooring, non-toxic paint and solar panels to the newer “exotic” materials that are inspiring architects and builders like:

• Marmoleum sustainable tiles
• Kirei “wheat board”
• Richlite, made from 100% recycled paper

And that’s just the beginning. Builders are going green with cork and reclaimed materials and materials made from the earth under our feet!

The next time you shop for a home, or invest in that renovation – think Green. Demand and supply of these earth friendly products is growing like weeds!

In one sweep birdhouses are practical (providing a nesting place for birds) and [...]]]> You’ve cleared away the debris from the lawn, trimmed the bushes and the watered your newly bloomed flowers – but is your yard polished with the piece de resistance, the crème de la crème of lawn accouterments? We’re talking about birdhouses!

In one sweep birdhouses are practical (providing a nesting place for birds) and beautifying. From classic and sophisticated to elaborate and surprising  birdhouses say a lot about your style.

Remember, this time of year birds are especially hungry. They need fresh water to drink and bath in. Here are some ideas to get your landscape design humming.

Know Your Score!
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, which is the only authorized source for consumers to access their free annual [...]]]> This spring we’ve been talking about financial fitness, we blogged about Paying Attention and Credit Card Debit. Now we will address the relationship between your credit and your FICO score.

Know Your Score!
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, which is the only authorized source for consumers to access their free annual credit report online.

FICO Basics
When financial institutions talk about your credit score they are referencing your FICO score. Despite this interchangeable vernacular, your FICO score is not a result of only your credit card activities. Credit cards are just one slice in the FICO score pie. Things like bankruptcy, suits, wage attachments, collection items, and delinquencies all factor in to your score.
We’ve found a blog that explains the basics of FICO in easily understood language on Bills.com.

Although your credit card activity only a slice – it’s an important one. Understanding, and then improving your credit card “picture” can improve your score significantly!

Consider your complete financial picture and educate yourself on the additional factors that can make or break your score.

What’s Affecting Your Score Now!

• Number of accounts (history, recently opened, recent inquires)
How many credit cards do you have – are you giving the impression that you “need” too much credit?
• Timing of credit card activities (when opened, when closed, when used)
Did you recently open several credit cards around the same time – this signals a problem with your cash flow.
• Positive histories and time since documented (on-time payments, low balances (30% or less is best) increased credit, etc.)
You’re looking good because you’ve paid down your credit card debt and have kept it down for 4-6 months – this signals that you don’t “need” the credit to afford your lifestyle.
• Types of Credit Used
Do you have one Visa® and five cards for retail clothing? That may signal an immaturity in your credit management.
• Length of credit history
How long have you had credit cards?
• Re-establishment of positive credit history
You’ve cleaned up your act and although you had a late payment 12 months ago, you haven’t had any late payments since.
• Negative credit histories and time since documented
All your activities are recorded – including every late payment – this can’t be avoided.

In only 4 months you can outweigh negative credit history with positive and improve your score. Read this article again on how to get out of credit card debt. So while the Credit/FICO relationship cannot be severed – it can thrive with your attention and time!

Last week we started our series on financial fitness, and blogged about Paying Attention. Simple awareness can make a big impact in your financial life. One category that simply cannot be ignored: Credit Card Debt!

The Basics

Credit card debt is a complicated topic, rife with [...]]]> Spring into Financial Fitness – Credit Card Debt

Last week we started our series on financial fitness, and blogged about Paying Attention. Simple awareness can make a big impact in your financial life. One category that simply cannot be ignored: Credit Card Debt!

The Basics

Credit card debt is a complicated topic, rife with debates about the best way to manage your cards. But not every strategy is in contention – there are some proven tactics to improve your immediate and long-term finances.

Follow these steps (in order) RIGHT NOW and be released from credit card debt:

1. Stop using your credit cards. Cut up all but one, that should be reserved for emergencies.
2. Pay more than the minimum due – every month.
3. Read the detail in your monthly statement/invoice. Credit card rates fluctuate all the time. You cannot look at your rates once and assume you know what you are paying.
4. Get all your credit cards paid down below 30% of your available credit.
5. Once all the card balances are below 30%, pay off – entirely – one credit card at a time. Be thoughtful about which cards you choose to keep and which you will close. As published by Money Girl, there is some evidence that your FICO score can be negatively affected by closing your cards entirely.
6. Keep the the card you’ve owned the longest, has best rate and benefits (like airline miles). Keep that cards balance below 30%
7. Resist the temptation to use retirement savings to pay off credit card debt

If you have substantial credit card balances, we know the idea of paying them off can seem overwhelming. But remember, you did not accumulate this debt over night; don’t expect to solve it as such. Be diligent and consistent, and overtime you will be rewarded!

 Visit us next week for more information on credit cards and your FICO score.

Step One: Pay attention.

Simple right? But think again – do you know how much you are spending each month [...]]]> Spring is a good time to get your body, and your finances, in shape. Throughout the spring we’ll be sharing tips, tricks and links designed to help you get your financial house in order.

Step One: Pay attention.

Simple right? But think again – do you know how much you are spending each month on categories such as food, entertainment, housing and clothing? How about bank fees, credit card interest, or mortgage interest?

By taking a look at your entire financial picture – what you earn, what you spend, and what you owe – you are taking an important first step towards financial fitness. It’s also a great time to think about your goals. Do you want to pay off your credit cards? Buy a house? Save for retirement?

Here are a few questions to help you get started:

• Look at your checking account statement – Did you pay any fees (ie monthly service fees, overdraft fees, etc)? Is there another account at your bank or credit union which would allow you to avoid fees?
• Review your credit card statements – How much are paying each month in interest? Is there a way for you to reduce that amount by finding a lower rate credit card or other loan vehicle?
• Check your insurance premiums – What are you paying for your auto, homeowners or other policies? Can you find a better price elsewhere or receive additional discounts for combining your policies with one provider?
• Keep track of your spending – How much did you spend on takeout and entertainment? Transportation? Clothing? Many online banking systems will allow you to sort your purchase history by category.
• Know your rates – How much are you earning on your deposits? Could you earn more by consolidating your savings into a high yield money market or certificate of deposit? How about your loans? Could you save money each month by refinancing your car loan or mortgage?

As the saying goes, “knowledge is power” – so focus on this first step – Paying Attention -  for a few weeks. Overtime you will find that when you pay attention to your finances, instead being burdened by them (or worse afraid of them), you become empowered!

Create Curb Appeal

This is it! Your interior is de-cluttered, Get fit to be toured! The last in our series of five open house projects, let’s create some curb appeal!

Create Curb Appeal

This is it! Your interior is de-cluttered, cleaned, staged and you’ve gone over the top with concierge-style flourishes.  All that’s left is a little TLC to your exterior.

A relatively easy last step – all you need to know is what to remove and what to add to your landscape. Remove debris and weeds. Add color and lighting.

Remove Debris

This is the all encompassing definition of debris – from aging sheds, to plastic toys – take away anything and everything from your yard that is not clearly identified as a “feature”.

Pull the Weeds

If you do nothing else – get rid of the weeds. Weeding sidewalks, driveways and around the mailbox makes a big impact. These tips from GardenForever .com help you get rid of even the nastiest weed.

Add Color

Consider container planting. Fast, simple, and inexpensive – container plants can be strategically placed at the entry, or on the deck to give the feeling of a manicured landscape – without leaving an impression of a laborious undertaking. Containers add a pop of color and, as an added benefit – you can take them with you to your new house. This How To from Better Homes and Gardens provides a beginners guide, with all the information you need to create a beautiful, portable garden.

Refresh Lighting 

Don’t underestimate the number of lookie-loos your property after dark. Since the invention of Google maps and satellite navigation – all a person needs is your address and can find you with ease. Consider adoring a single container with a string of lights and updating walkway lights.  For security, as much as beauty, leave the interior lights glowing after dark, at least while your house is on the market. Lighting Universe has an excellent selection of affordable exterior lighting.