Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Remodeling offering greater returns!

Have you ever thought about doing a remodeling project in your home, but you're just not sure the return will be worth your investment?  This is a very typical question that everyone asks themselves before undertaking any significant remodeling work around the house.  Typically the kitchen and bathrooms offer the highest return on your investment when it comes to major remodeling projects; however, over the past few years, even these returns have not been as high as in the past.  According to MSN Real Estate, it appears 2013 may offer slightly higher returns than the pas few years.

While not all remodeling projects offer the same return on investment, there are plenty of projects that can be done to maximize your return. Remodeling: A slightly better value in 2013, is a great article that offers a great projection for what 2013 remodeling projects will offer for returns, as well as providing ideas for remodeling projects that offer the biggest rewards.  One point that is made in the article that bears repeating is the non-monetary benefit of remodeling projects in the home.  According to the article, "Money spent on improvements may reward home sellers with a shorter time on the market, Alfano said in an interview. Remodeling jobs often pay back with deep enjoyment even when they don't contribute to a family's bottom line.", which is often more desirable than the return on investment.

Check out the article for more information on how to maximize returns on your remodeling projects, and share this information with anyone you know who is thinking of doing some work around the house.  Let me know your favorite tips and tricks to remodeling in the comments below, and follow my blog to keep up with my posts.  Friend me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter to keep up with everything I ever post!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Going off the grid!

When I was in class to get my real estate license, the first thing that was taught was that the most important things were location, location, and location.  In my experience, this has certainly held true!  Many times, I have found homes that would be perfect for my Buyers in every way possible...if it were in a different location!  Some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world would make a wonderful place to call home, but our dependence on infrastructure for power and water is generally a major drawback.

Rising prices of oil, and other fossil fuels, are the direct result of too much consumption of a limited resource. Scientists have been working on other means for electricity production that are both efficient and safe, but most of us live in homes dependent on these resources.  Gizmodo.com posted a great gallery of  21 Amazing Off-the-Grid Houses that  harness the power of nature to generate power.  Utilizing the power of nature would allow people to live in places that would otherwise be impossible to live without the immense costs of installing the proper infrastructure.

Let me know which house design you like best, or where you would want to live if your home was completely self sufficient in the comments below.  As always, feel free to share this information with your family and friends, and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts.  Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to keep up with everything I ever post!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Are you keeping your New Years resolutions?

We're already 3 weeks into 2013 and I find it interesting to see if others are keeping their New Years resolutions.  So far, I've been able to keep up with most of the goals I've set myself which, unfortunately, is not the norm.  Many people set goals for themselves that should be easily attainable, but they are ill equipped to make their goals stick.  CNN.com posted a great article by Maia Szalavitz, of time.com, entitled How to make New Year's resolutions stick, that offers some great tips on setting and keeping goals in the upcoming year!

Even if you've already fallen short of some of your New Year's resolutions, it's never too late to set goals for yourself to work toward.  A lot of goals that people set are things that they want to achieve in the next year, but sometimes giving up a bad habit can be a great goal as well.  The Huffington Post posted Unhealthy Habits: 8 Vices to Extinguish Now, an article with some great tips on how and why you should give up some of these habits in the year to come.

Check out all of these articles if you're struggling with keeping your resolutions, or if you're looking for some additional goals in the coming year.  Share this info with your friends, family, and anyone else you know who is looking for help on keeping their goals.  Let me know your New Year's resolutions in the comments below and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts. Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to see everything I ever post!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Setting goals for the new year

I have already posted a couple articles since the new year with stats and reasons why 2013 is going to be a better year for real estate.  One thing that I've failed to mention is why I think 2013 is going to be a better year for me!  This year marks the first full calendar year that I will have as a sales associate, and I'm looking forward to challenging myself to do better than I have in the past, both professionally and personally.

I am lucky to be on a team with 2 other agents who are super supportive, and introduced me to a great coaching program that has helped me set goals for myself in the upcoming year.  One thing that I've noticed, however, is that I'm being taught any new tips or tricks to help me succeed.  The key principles of being successful are what my coach has stressed to me, and the number one thing that every lesson hinges on is setting goals.

Setting goals is the number one thin that anyone can do to increase productivity at work, improve their finances, and make better, lasting relationships.  I've mentioned in the past how Dave Ramsey has influenced the way I handle my finances, but he also has a wonderful article on setting goals entitled Goal Setting's Big Payoff.

Check out his article and let me know your thoughts and goals for the upcoming year in the comments below.  Share this information with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all of my posts.  Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to keep up with everything I ever post!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Thinking of Selling?

Last week I posted about why now is a great time to buy a home if you've been considering making a move. While interest rates are remaining low at this time, many people are speculating that rates may begin to rise this year as consumers demand begins to increase.  While this is a great time to buy a home in many areas, the inventory is extremely low.

I recently posted a note on The Waldroup Team's Facebook page about why now is also a great time to list your home if you've been planning on making a move.  Check out our team page and look the note over if you've been thinking about listing your home! Feel free to share this information with any friends or family you know who might be interested in making a move.  Let me know your thoughts on what the real estate market will do this year in the comments below, and follow my blog to keep up with all of my posts.  Feel free to friend me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter to keep up with everything I ever post.

Monday, January 7, 2013

A new year and a new outlook!

After and extended break over the holidays, I'm happy to get back to writing.  2012 came and went so fast, and I'm truly grateful to all my friends, family, and clients who helped make my first year in real estate sales so successful! As the new year opens, I'm greeted with the new prospect of my first full year as a full-time Sales Associate!  Hiring a new assistant for the team has afforded me the ability to focus all my efforts toward helping my clients buy and sell their homes! 2013 promises to be a great year full of opportunity, and I'm excited to see what the coming months have to offer.

This year has additional changes in store that I'm excited about as well! Many people are predicting that 2013 will be a great year for the housing market across the nation!  Mortgage rates are predicted to remain low for much of the year, and prices are recovering well in many areas.  MSN Real Estate actually posted an article posing the question Could you get priced out of the housing market in 2013?  While most markets haven't seen the types of price increases that could lead to this happening, NOW is a great time to buy if you've been thinking about making a move!

Check out this article and let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Share this information with your friends and family who might be ready to make a move, and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts!  Friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to keep up with everything I ever post, or to share information I post from time to time.  I'm looking forward to what this year brings, and I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2013!