Rents [...]]]> For the past several years there has been some confusion over whether it has been a better deal to rent or buy a home. Buying has always been the best long term investment. With the changes in the market it is now clear that in almost any situation buying is the best bet.

Rents over the past few years have been on the rise and the demand for rental housing has been shrinking rental availability raising the rents and the competition for acceptable units. Rents have been increasing at about a rate of 2.5 percent a year while home prices have been dropping at about 3.1 percent a year. This makes buying a much better option.

Lately, there has been an uptick in the home buying market and in some price ranges inventory is low for prospective buyers. Because prices and mortgage rates remain at all-time lows this is a perfect time to get out of a rental and into your own home.

If you are looking for some hard numbers on your own personal financial picture the New York Times has an easy to use calculator that will help you determine how much you will save by buying a home. Click here to use the calculator.

Spacious, solid home with 1.27 acres of level, cleared land to include [...]]]> View Photos
Starts: 5/20/2012 12:00:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 1:30:00 PM
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Spacious, solid home with 1.27 acres of level, cleared land to include a 2 story detached Barn. This oversized split level home boasts a huge 14′x21′ kitchen addition with deck. The fireplaced LR, formal DR and all 3 bdrms feature hardwoods, full updated bath. Downstairs is a fireplaced FR, beautiful stone tile, in-home office/rec room, 1/2 bath, 1 car garage, walk out basement. New 30 yr arch. shingle roof, new vinyl siding, Pella windows, stonewalls, storage shed – MUST SEE!

Beautiful Cape Cod home-Sunny Kitchen updated with maple cabinets/quartizite countertops – large [...]]]> View Photos
Starts: 5/20/2012 2:00:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 4:00:00 PM
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For more information: click here for the full details

Beautiful Cape Cod home-Sunny Kitchen updated with maple cabinets/quartizite countertops – large peninsula with seating plus sep.dining area open to cathedral ceilinged FR overlooking spacious backyard. Formal, fireplaced LR with gleaming hardwoods. Main level Bedroom and full bath! Upstairs 3 bedrooms and another full bath. Finished bsmt great for kids space or media room. Brand new Roof/gutters, updated windows, refinished hrdwds. Private back yard!

WHAT [...]]]> Each year the National Association of Realtors does a study of home buyers and sellers. They ask home buyers and sellers across the country why they bought or sold, how they made decision and who they are. Here are just a few of things they found out:

WHAT SELLS

The typical home purchased was 1,780 sq ft, was built in 1990, and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to NAR’s 2010 survey of buyers and sellers.

APPEALING TO BUYERS

44% of sellers offered incentives, like home warranties and help with closing costs, to attract buyers, according to NAR’s 2010 survey of buyers and sellers.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 96% of the listing price; 57% reduced the asking price at least once, says NAR’s 2010 survey of buyers and sellers.

GENDER GAP

There are more single female buyers than single males. But single male buyers grew by 2 percentage points between 2009 and 2010; single female buyers.

COST OF LIVING

The median price buyers paid for homes was $179,000, according to the latest NAR survey of buyers and sellers.

Despite the hassle and time scheduled repairs can take, [...]]]> This spring, homeowners will be mowing grass, trimming trees and planting flowers to ready their home for warmer weather. But homeowners also must not forget the importance of regularly scheduled seasonal home maintenance to keep systems and structures in top condition and prevent costly repairs.

Despite the hassle and time scheduled repairs can take, quarterly home maintenance and preventative measures can keep all areas of the home in good condition for years to come. To help homeowners accomplish this goal, Total Care Property Inspections recommends the following summer maintenance tips.

Tip #1: Clean and seal decks. Winter can leave exterior surfaces stained from fall leaves and dirty from snow melt runoff. Ideally, three consecutive warm, sunny days will be needed. On the first day, dry out the deck. Apply deck cleaner and scrub the deck on the second day, and let it dry 24 hours. On the third day, apply deck sealer. This will keep your deck water-repellant, damage-free and aesthetically attractive for all the barbecues in the months ahead.

Tip #2: Wash the exterior of your house using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent. Pressure washers are not always the best idea—they are powerful enough to force water under the siding, where it can encourage mildew and rot. If power washing is truly in order, hire a professional.

Tip #3: Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean chimneys. Taking care of this task in the spring or summer—rather than in the peak autumn season—allows plenty of time for repairs before the next heating season. It’s also easier to schedule a sweep than during the fall cleaning season, and sometimes, rates can be lower as a result of off-season discounts.

Tip #4: Caulk exterior joints around all windows and doors. Caulking keeps the house weather-tight and will help reduce high summer energy bills. It can also help keep insects and vermin out of the house.

Tip #5: Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap. Because lint is incredibly flammable, this common build up can create a fire hazard. And if a gas clothes dryer is not properly vented, it can even force deadly carbon monoxide back into the home.

Tip #6: Check the operation and condition of attic fans and roof-mounted turbine vents. Also make sure that bathroom and kitchen vent fans are working properly and are not blocked or obstructed. This can impede the intake of fresh air and removal of stale air from the home. These fans run on little energy and can greatly reduce cooling costs—not to mention increasing comfort inside the home during a hot and humid summer.

Tip #7: Change air conditioner filters—especially if the home was vented with outdoor air during the spring. Consider using a pleated media filter for better dust trapping, or for additional savings, a web element filter that can be washed periodically instead of being thrown out. Also, be sure to clear overgrowth and weeds away from outdoor air conditioning units—if the necessary airflow is blocked, the air conditioner will not be able to operate properly and could even suffer an expensive failure.

Tip #8: Clean any lingering fall leaves from gutters. For clogged downspouts, try using barbecue tongs to reach in and remove leaves. This is also a good opportunity to repair loose gutter nails or other gutter damage before the heavy spring and summer rains.

Tip #9: The heat and humidity of an Indiana summer can cause wooden windows and doors to swell and stick. Before this becomes a problem, remove the door or window, and carefully remove any excess material with a hand plane. For sliding windows, the surrounding trim is often the culprit. Usually, it must be removed and reinstalled to allow for greater movement. To keep windows and doors from sticking in the first place, make sure that they are sealed with a good coat of paint, including the tops and bottoms. Be careful not to paint the channels where windows need to slide, though—instead, use a light coat of linseed oil as a sealer.

Tip #10: To prepare for summer, make sure attics are well insulated and ventilated. Excess heat in the upstairs area of a two-story home, or the sensation of a ranch-style home feeling “hot from above” could indicate insufficient attic insulation and poor ventilation. The age of the home could be a culprit—home inspectors frequently cite poor attic insulation in houses built prior to 1984.