tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92062622734008245932024-02-18T20:06:16.730-06:00Talk To AaronReal estate news, and lifestyle information that the general public might find useful. An open forum to discuss any differing viewpoints on the content posted and pose questions or answers to the questions of others.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-65258717021795756482013-06-18T14:51:00.000-05:002013-06-18T14:51:02.316-05:00Changing MarketIt's been quite a while since my last post, and the real estate market has undergone some changes over the past few months. In the Evansville area, the real estate market has been picking up! Our inventory, like much of the rest of the country, has continued to stay very low which has helped to drive demand up. In many areas across the country, some properties have begun to receive an extremely high amount of multiple offers. While we haven't seen multiple offer situations to the degree that other markets have seen, it is becoming more common to receive multiple offers on properties in recent weeks.<div>
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This growing demand seems to be good news! The demand created from low inventory has resulted in increased home sales in our area, even though our inventory remains low. With increased home purchases, we have even seen home mortgage rates start to creep back up, although they still remain extremely low historically. Now is a great time to buy or sell a home! If you, or anyone you know, has been thinking of making a move, I'd be happy to help in any way I can!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-88443312336969800462013-02-08T14:56:00.000-06:002013-02-08T14:56:11.306-06:00Getting ready to sellRecently, I've written several posts about now being a great time to sell if you're thinking about making a move. One question that people often ask before getting their home on the market is, "What do I need to do to get my house ready to sell?" This is generally a pretty broad question, and each house presents it's own, unique ideas; however, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders!<br />
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There has been a long standing trend in many homes to utilize neutral colors to make the home appealing to the broadest market segment possible. In some homes, though, a splash of color may be a way to make your house stand out among the rest! Choosing the right colors is one of the most important choices to make when getting ready to paint, and <a href="http://housebeautiful.com/">HouseBeautiful.com</a> has a lot of <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/best-color-combinations-for-rooms-0213?spr_id=1451_6855963&src=spr_TWITTER" target="_blank">useful information</a> to help!<br />
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Be sure to share this information with your friends and family, and let me know what color combinations you like best in the comments below! Be sure to follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with all my posts!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-18773764724883606852013-02-06T08:06:00.000-06:002013-02-06T08:06:18.324-06:00Listings NeededIf we're friends on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, or you follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, you saw my post during the Super Bowl about needing more listings. The Spring real estate season is starting, and there are plenty of Buyers in the market who are ready to make a purchase. The only downside is, there aren't enough homes on the market to sell!<br />
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Mortgage rates are remaining low in the foreseeable future, and most reports are indicating that 2013 will be a better year for real estate, so NOW is the time to get in the game! If you or anyone you know has been thinking of Selling your home, give me a call!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-75615414768495098522013-02-01T15:12:00.000-06:002013-02-01T15:12:34.338-06:00Do it yourself and save!In my last post, I mentioned that 2013 will see larger returns on investment for many remodeling projects around the house. Some jobs offer larger returns than others, but one of the best ways to maximize them is to reduce your costs! There are several remodeling projects that can completely change the look of a room that can easily be done without hiring professional help, which will help you save!<br />
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In this technological age, online articles, DIY websites, and even <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> videos offering step by step instructions on nearly every project imaginable exist! A quick <a href="http://google.com/" target="_blank">Google</a> search is all you need to find a plethora of information on almost any home project! One website that I often visit for all sorts of information, including DIY projects, is <a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a>. They just posted a great article by Joe Provey of <a href="http://bobvila.com/">BobVila.com</a> that offers easy to follow instructions. <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/ceramic-tile-installation-7-steps?ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">Ceramic-tile installation: 7 steps</a> </i>explains how you can get the best results out of a project that many find tricky.<br />
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If you or anyone you know has been thinking of doing some tile work, check out the article for some great information on getting the best results, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, or follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with all of my post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-51777691573564973952013-01-29T08:08:00.000-06:002013-01-29T08:08:16.713-06:00Remodeling 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 <a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a>, it appears 2013 may offer slightly higher returns than the pas few years.<br />
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While not all remodeling projects offer the same return on investment, there are plenty of projects that can be done to maximize your return. <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/remodeling-a-slightly-better-value-in-2013?ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">Remodeling: A slightly better value in 2013</a>, </i>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.<br />
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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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-8474268182977539552013-01-25T12:58:00.000-06:002013-01-25T12:58:37.231-06:00Going 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.<div>
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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. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/">Gizmodo.com</a> posted a great gallery of <i><a href="http://gizmodo.com/5978598/21-amazing-off+the+grid-houses" target="_blank">21 Amazing Off-the-Grid Houses</a> </i>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.</div>
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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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-89346399121976393892013-01-22T12:19:00.000-06:002013-01-22T12:19:09.432-06:00Are 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. <a href="http://cnn.com/">CNN.com</a> posted a great article by Maia Szalavitz, of <a href="http://time.com/">time.com</a>, entitled <i><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/28/health/time-new-years-resolutions/index.html" target="_blank">How to make New Year's resolutions stick</a>, </i>that offers some great tips on setting and keeping goals in the upcoming year!<div>
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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. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/" target="_blank">The Huffington Post</a> posted <i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/unhealthy-habits-vices_n_2481890.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003" target="_blank">Unhealthy Habits: 8 Vices to Extinguish Now</a>, </i>an article with some great tips on how and why you should give up some of these habits in the year to come.</div>
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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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to see everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-82426454289617960332013-01-18T11:46:00.000-06:002013-01-18T11:46:50.276-06:00Setting goals for the new yearI 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 <i><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/article/goal-settings-big-payoff/lifeandmoney_goalsetting/" target="_blank">Goal Setting's Big Payoff.</a></i><br />
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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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-416986006811865922013-01-15T14:07:00.000-06:002013-01-15T14:07:25.633-06:00Thinking 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.<div>
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I recently posted a note on <a href="http://thewaldroupteam.com/" target="_blank">The Waldroup Team</a>'s <a href="http://facebook.com/thewaldroupteam" target="_blank">Facebook</a><a href="http://facebook.com/thewaldroupteam" target="_blank"> page</a> 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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-90296108224172685482013-01-07T10:53:00.000-06:002013-01-15T13:40:18.609-06:00A 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 <i>full year </i>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.<br />
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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. <a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a> actually posted an article posing the question <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/january-buying-advice-could-you-get-priced-out-of-the-housing-market-in-2013?ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">Could you get priced out of the housing market in 2013?</a> </i>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!</div>
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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!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-8811624517497774142012-12-17T08:07:00.000-06:002012-12-17T08:07:47.721-06:00A quick clean can make a huge difference!The year has flown by, and Christmas is only a week away. If you're like me, this month has been spent finishing up end of the year projects at work, focusing on getting gifts, and not on cleaning up around the house. As the holiday approaches, most people will gather with friends and family, and for most, making sure everything looks spotlessly clean can be a source of anxiety. Party planning and prepping can take so much time, that many people wait until the last possible second to tackle cleaning, and the task can be come overwhelming!<br />
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Luckily, the folks over at <a href="http://lifehacker.com/" target="_blank">lifehacker</a> have posted a great article to get you out of this jam! <i><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5967278/how-to-clean-your-house-in-15-minutes-or-less" target="_blank">How to Clean Your House in 15 Minutes or Less!</a> </i>is provides a detailed game plan for making your house look great for guests in no time at all! Check out this article and share it with friends and family you know will be hosting guests this year, and let me know any of your secret tips in the comments below. Don't forget to follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-35653174503507947192012-12-07T09:34:00.000-06:002012-12-07T09:34:55.413-06:00The Holiday Season is here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, the month of December is underway! This is a wonderful time of year in which many people celebrate the holidays with their respective customs and traditions. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other Holiday, this is a wonderful season to gather together with friends and family! Whether your hosting a holiday theme party for friends, or preparing a meal for family, decorating your home for the holidays can be a fun way to show your holiday spirit!<br />
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Checking online, you can find TONS of different ideas, tips, and tricks for holiday decorations. The folks at <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/" target="_blank">Good Housekeeping</a> posted a great article with several <i><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/christmas-decoration-ideas#slide-1" target="_blank">DIY Christmas Decorations</a> </i>that are easy to do, and offer a great look around the house. Check out the gallery and let me know your thoughts or other decorating ideas you have in the comments below. Follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with all my posts!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-33351896465671744202012-12-04T11:23:00.000-06:002012-12-04T11:23:54.389-06:00Promising Updates for Real EstateFor many of my friends, customers, and clients, I like to send a monthly report on our local real estate market called "Market Watch". This month's report had some great statistics that I felt were important to share. As a Realtor, people ask me how the market is doing all the time, and it's nice to have some facts to share with them. According to Dr. Lawrence Yun, PhD, the lead economist for the National Association of Realtors, next year should see around a 2% growth in GDP; however, he is even more optimistic about real estate than the economy as a whole. His projections are that existing home sales will increase to reach a level of 5 million units, along with a 5% increase to the median price. He also projects that new construction will increase 25% next year, which, while being a huge increase over this year, it is important to note that new constructions levels have been very low for quite some time.<br />
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While these national numbers are quite optimistic, it is important to remember that real estate markets can be very localized. <a href="http://www.fctuckeremge.com/" target="_blank">F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORSĀ®</a>, the brokerage I work for, is up over 12% year to date over last year. The current average sales price in our area is $125,300, and the median price is up over last year as well. It is encouraging to see these signs of continued real estate growth in our area, and I'm looking forward to the next year! If you know of anyone who has been thinking of buying or selling a home, feel free to share this information with them! Follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with all my posts!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-20832660554344139862012-11-16T10:28:00.000-06:002012-11-16T10:28:22.744-06:00Small changes can lead to big savings!It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of finding ways to save money. I have made several posts about the best times to purchase items in order to get the for the best prices, as well as tips on ways to re-purpose old items into new and unique pieces that you can use around the house. One amazing thing that I would like to stress is just how much small savings can change your life in the future.<br />
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<a href="http://lifehacker.com/">Lifehacker.com</a> posted a great article by <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2012/11/15/how-saving-275-a-day-can-change-your-life" target="_blank">Gary Foreman</a> about <i><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5960927/how-saving-275-a-day-can-change-your-life" target="_blank">How Saving $2.75 a Day Can Change Your Life</a> </i>that gives a simple explanation on how a small change in your daily life can have a major impact on your future. Check out the article and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Share this information with your family and friends, and follow my blog to keep up with my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> in order to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-1220460270085813242012-11-14T12:37:00.000-06:002012-11-14T12:37:01.868-06:00Buying TipsI'm breaking my normal schedule to bring you an article that was brought to my attention by a good friend of mine. <a href="http://www.savings.com/user/profile.html?id=70719" target="_blank">SavingsMommie</a> at <a href="http://savings.com/">Savings.com</a> posted an article about the <i><a href="http://www.savings.com/blog/post/Infographic-Best-times-to-buy-holiday-gifts.html?sf7196432=1" target="_blank">Best times to buy holiday gifts</a> </i>along with a great <a href="http://cdn.savings.com/img/calendar-shopping.png" target="_blank">graphic</a> to help guide you this holiday shopping season.<br />
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Feel free to share this info with friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and you can keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-32708222700058386762012-11-13T12:39:00.000-06:002012-11-13T12:39:04.159-06:00Reclaimed wood can offer amazing possibilities<div>
There are many ways that you can transform the look of a room without spending tons of money in the process. Do it yourself projects that utilize old materials to create a new, unique item, are a great way to do this. I have posted other articles on ways to re-purpose different items to create a unique look, but one material that is often overlooked is old wood. Even if the surface looks burnt, beat up, and damaged, it is often possible to use this wood to create a number of different of looks in the home. <a href="http://homedit.com/">Homedit.com</a> posted a great article by Simona Ganea titled <i><a href="http://www.homedit.com/how-to-decorate-using-reclaimed-wood/" target="_blank">How to decorate using reclaimed wood</a> </i>that offers a great gallery with tons of great decorating ideas.</div>
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In some cases, reclaimed wood can even be re-milled to be reused in other projects. Some mills have popped up with the sole purpose of revitalizing old wood instead of cutting down more trees. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeGcW6gqVXg&feature=share&list=PL3BDA465B76A145CE" target="_blank">Old Lumber Reborn</a> is a great video on <a href="http://youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> that showcases a mill that revitalizes old wood to be reused in construction and decorating.</div>
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Take a look at the amazing options reclaimed wood can offer, and let me know which ideas you like best in the comments below. Feel free to share this with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-73751223588214440952012-11-06T16:22:00.000-06:002012-11-06T16:22:09.664-06:00Winter weather on the wayTemperatures have already begun to drop, and the days are getting shorter, tell tale signs that winter is on its way. One of my favorite thins to do in the wintertime is to cozy up next to my fireplace. Luckily, I have a gas log, so all I have to do is flip a switch and the flames burst to life. Even though I love my fireplace, nothing compares to building a fire in a wood-burning fireplace, and watching the flames dance while basking in their calming warmth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image found at: <a href="http://www.ctsweep.com/blog/top-sweep-stories/what-is-that-smell-coming-from-my-fireplace/">http://www.ctsweep.com</a></td></tr>
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If you're looking forward to building a fire this year, it's important to make sure your chimney is cleaned out first. Over time burning fires will cause a build-up of creosote inside the chimney. As this build-up hardens, it can create a fire hazard that can ignite if left uncleaned. Scheduling a chimney inspection once a year is a good way to help prevent this build-up and prevent this potential hazard.<br />
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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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-20472727686892863342012-10-26T15:07:00.000-05:002012-10-26T15:07:10.322-05:00Neat ways to light up your lifeIf you're looking for a way to change the look of a room but don't feel like spending tons of money, do it yourself projects are great ways to express your creativity! In this technological era, you can find instructions on how to complete almost any DIY project you can imagine. As a RealtorĀ® there are several websites and blogs that I frequent to gain interesting ideas on ways to help spruce up a space. <a href="http://decoist.com/">Decoist.com</a> is a prime example of a great site for ideas on improving interior design. Recently, the posted a great gallery with ideas for some pretty amazing DIY light fixture projects.<div>
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<i><a href="http://www.decoist.com/2012-10-10/diy-lighting-upcycling-household-products-to-quirky-light-fixtures/" target="_blank">10 Fun Ways to Enlighten Your Life: Upcycling Household Products to Quirky Light Fixtures</a> </i>offers some inspiring ideas for custom light fixtures made from items you might never imagine. Looking through the gallery, my favorite idea is a toss-up between the paint cans and the graters! Let me know which option you like the best, or your own ideas for some custom light fixtures, in the comments below! As always, feel free to share this information with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all of my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-69870476891408462162012-10-23T19:00:00.000-05:002012-10-23T19:00:02.596-05:00Quick tips to reduce energy costsAs I've stated in the past, like most people I am a huge fan of saving money. There are only 2 ways to increase the amount of money that you have lying around to do the things you want to do: cut costs or increase income. Since increasing your income is not necessarily the easiest thing to do, the better option is cutting costs. Like most people, I have several bills that are fixed costs that are going to remain the same from month to month, and there is nothing that I can do about that. On the other hand, our utilities are variable costs that we have greater control over every month.<br />
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Cutting back on my energy bills every month is one way that I've tried to reduce my costs to help save money. There are tons of gimmicks out there that boast improved energy efficiency through purchasing different "green" devices, but there are actually some ways you can improve efficiency without spending extra money. <a href="http://lifehacker.com/">Lifehacker.com</a> posted a great article with several changes you can make around your home offering ideas on <i><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5953039/how-to-reduce-your-energy-bill-with-no-cost-or-sacrifice" target="_blank">How to Reduce Your Energy Bill with No Cost or Sacrifice</a> </i>by Adam Dachis. This list offers several ideas that I've never heard of, including asking your utility companies if they offer discounts for non-peak usage of electricity or gas and switching to these times when doing laundry or running the dishwasher!</div>
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Check out this article and let me know which idea you think is best in the comments below. As always, feel free to share this information with your friends and family and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-23030222446483691372012-10-16T19:00:00.000-05:002012-10-16T19:00:01.279-05:00Even odd rooms can offer great usesAs a real estate agent, I have been able to see many different types of floor plans and designs for homes while working with clients. While the floor plan is one of those items that is hard to change in a home, there are times when certain rooms can be utilized in a different way in order to fit the needs of a buyer. The ability to look at a room and see the potential that room offers is something that allows some people to take a room that many people would hate, and turn it into something absolutely amazing.<br />
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<a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a> posted a great article offering <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/awesome-ideas-for-awful-rooms?ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">Awesome ideas for awful rooms</a>, </i>by Scot Meyer of Switch Yard Media. They range from efficient usage of small spaces, to design ideas to make those spaces amazing. Click through the gallery and see what ideas you like the best, or let me know your awesome ideas in the comments below. Feel free to share this information with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-27038751113433286682012-10-05T19:00:00.000-05:002012-10-05T19:00:02.193-05:00Innovative ideas for stuff around the houseI've always been interested in technology, gadgets, or any type of cool innovations to items that we take for granted every day. Since I've gotten into real estate, this interest has expanded to include cool changes to everyday items that we all have around the house. I have posted articles in the past that included cool gadgets or other technological advancements that can be utilized at home to increase energy efficiency<a href="http://talktoaaron.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-technology-for-futuristic-look.html" target="_blank"> (like the nest thermostat that learns your heating/cooling patterns)</a>, but there are other neat innovations that I have found that have nothing to do with technological advancements that I find just as interesting!!<br />
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Looking through different design ideas, I stumbled across <a href="http://dornob.com/">dornob.com</a>, a site that offers daily design ideas. This site offers out of this world innovations to everyday items that you have to see to believe! One cool idea they offer is a <a href="http://dornob.com/shape-shifting-wood-fan-table-transforms-squares-to-circles/" target="_blank">shape-shifting table</a> that can be manipulated into round, and even square shapes. Check out this site and let me know one of your favorite items they offer in the comments below!<br />
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As always, feel free to share this information with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all of my posts. To keep up with everything I ever post, feel free to friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-74458137459553128022012-10-02T19:00:00.000-05:002012-10-02T19:00:00.361-05:00Fall is the perfect time to prepare for winter!The fall season has only been underway a couple weeks, but now is a great time to start getting your home ready for winter. Leaves are already changing, an indication that the trees are already preparing for winter as well. Temperatures are beginning drop, so it's important to start doing some work around the house to try and increase efficiency for the heating season to help keep your heating bills down.<div>
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There are several small items that can be accomplished around the house to ensure your home is ready for the winter season. <a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a> posted a great article by <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Green</a> that offers <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/19-easy-home-winterization-projects?ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">19 easy home-winterization projects</a> </i>that will help you get your home as efficient as possible! Take a look through this slide show and let me know which ideas you like the best in the comments below! Feel free to share this info with your friends and family so they can get their homes ready for winter. Follow my blog, friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-47318302543878020892012-09-28T19:00:00.000-05:002012-09-28T19:00:03.721-05:00Still a great time to buy!I have posted several times in the past why NOW is a great time to buy a home. Interest rates remain at historical lows and the cost to purchase a home is cheaper than renting in almost every major market in America. In addition, moving into the fall month's can be an advantage when thinking of purchasing a home. Many people view this time of year as the "slow season" for real estate. At times, there are fewer Buyer's who are looking to make a move, so a savvy purchaser may be able to spot a deal.<div>
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As school starts back up, and people are preparing for the Holidays, many Buyer's decide to wait until warmer weather to begin their home search. Sellers who have their homes on the market may begin noticing a lag in showings and rather than have their homes sit on the market another few months, they may be willing to negotiate a lower price to get their home sold.</div>
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<a href="http://www.fctuckeremge.com/" target="_blank">F.C. Tucker Emge</a> posted a link to a great <a href="http://ht.ly/dPTyP" target="_blank">article</a> on <a href="http://twitter.com/fctuckeremge" target="_blank">Twitter</a> about pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a home in the fall that can help you make a great purchase this fall. Check out this information, and share with your friends and family who might be interested in making a purchase this fall. Feel free to friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and let me know if I can ever help you or anyone you know buy or sell a home!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-14444687709627017562012-09-25T19:00:00.000-05:002012-09-25T19:00:09.632-05:00Occupancy does not guarantee ownership!Real estate is such an interesting subject, and there are many laws and claims that people can make that are relatively unknown. Recently, a sensational news story about a man in Dallas, Texas was brought to the forefront of the news media showing how he had laid claim to a $340,000.00 home through the use of adverse possession. He claimed that through a $16.00 filing at the county courthouse, he could legally claim ownership of the property through this little known real estate law. For some time, he was actually able to live in the home, for free! While adverse possession is in fact an almost unknown way to gain ownership of real estate, his understanding of this law was flawed.<br />
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<a href="http://realestate.msn.com/" target="_blank">MSN Real Estate</a> posted a great article explaining the entire situation, as well as excellent information on how adverse possession works. <i><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/can-you-get-a-home-via-squatters-rights?GT1=35006&ocid=vt_twmsnre" target="_blank">Can you get a home via squatter's rights?</a> </i>is the question this article poses, and aims to answer. In an age where foreclosures have left literally thousands of homes vacant, this man's attempt at gaining ownership of an empty home using adverse possession gained the interest of the national media! A little known, real estate law loophole, was a glimmer of hope for people to try and save their properties from foreclosure, or gain a new home without purchasing a home with a large mortgage. Unfortunately, this man had little understanding of the true facets of the law! In fact, occupying a vacant property does not offer the occupant <b style="font-style: italic;">any </b>legal rights of ownership!<br />
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In order to protect your rights and interests when trying to gain ownership of real estate, you should contact trusted sources. As a Realtor, I always tell my Buyers and Sellers they can ask me any questions about real estate laws and transactions that aren't common knowledge. If you, or anyone you know, have any questions about real estate, feel free to contact me any time. <br />
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As always, feel free to share this information with your friends and family, and follow my blog to keep up with all my posts. Friend me on <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9206262273400824593.post-16578873488865457202012-09-21T19:00:00.000-05:002012-09-21T19:00:06.691-05:00Fall is still a great time for outdoor entertainingEarlier this year, I posted ideas for hosting great, outdoor parties in the summer. I love having get-togethers and hosting parties, and the cooling temperatures of Fall are no reason to stop hosting outdoor events! On the contrary, whether it's a large party, or a small gathering, spending Autumn nights outside with a group of friends around a fire is one of my favorite things to do all year!<br />
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<a href="http://decoist.com/">Decoist.com</a> has a great article with a checklist on <i><a href="http://www.decoist.com/2012-09-17/hosting-an-outdoor-party-in-autumn/" target="_blank">Hosting an Outdoor Party in Autumn</a>, </i>which has some great tips on hosting the perfect party. From the proper timing, to ideas on decorating, this article offers tips and tricks, along with pictures, that will offer plenty of inspiration for amazing Autumn gatherings.<br />
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Check out the article and let me know your favorite tip, or any ideas you have, 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 <a href="http://facebook.com/aaronluttrull" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/AaronLuttrull" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up with everything I ever post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16335715369628547674noreply@blogger.com0