Get the Dirt on the Home Seller

Learn as much as you can about the motivations and situation of the home sellers. For instance, if they’re living in the house and they need flexibility around the closing date, you could offer to be flexible on closing if they move on terms. In the case of estate properties, take some time to learn about the heirs – where they live, what kinds of houses they live in and whether or not they are in legal or financial trouble. It sounds creepy, but most of this information is available for free online once you have the names of the home sellers. You can also research obits and marriage documents that are in the public domain. The more you know, the more leverage you have when it comes time to negotiate.

Know What the Property is Worth

Work independently or with your agent to research comparable sales in the immediate area of the home, then make an offer at least 10 percent below what the market says it’s worth. Dig into the details to figure out how the home you want to buy stacks up against comps, and look for ways to communicate the legitimacy of your offer or requests by backing it up with data. For instance, if all comparable sales have a pool, waterfront property or updated kitchens and the house that you want doesn’t, point that out. Use this data to justify your offer or other requests to create value if they won’t budge on price.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask

If there are things that you want or need to feel comfortable with the deal, ask for them. The home seller can always refuse, but if you don’t ask, you don’t know. If you’ve created leverage by learning about the property and the seller’s situation, you can use this information to ask for things, such as repair of items found during the inspection period or appliances that weren’t listed on the original contract for the house. Don’t make assumptions. Even if your realtor balks at the idea, always ask.

Offer a Quick Close

The faster a deal gets done, the more quickly the home seller can cash out their asset and move on with life. Homes that remain on the market or unsold for extended periods of time become costly to sellers (especially if they’re unoccupied) and start to decline in condition. Offering a quick close builds confidence with the seller as it means that there’s less time for things to go sour with the deal. If you’re situation allows for this negotiation tactic, you might be able to either lower your price or get other benefits in exchange.

Make an As-Is Offer and Ask for the Furniture

If you want to make a reasonable but low offer on a property, consider the pros and cons of presenting an “as-is with right to inspect “ offer. The upside is that you can walk away from the deal if the inspection frightens you. The downside is that what you see is what you get, leaky plumbing, termites, mold and all. If you really want a property and are willing to take it as-is, but aren’t really comfortable with the seller’s floor price, ask for the furniture or other non-fixed assets that make the deal more palatable such as a boat or fitness equipment.

Ask the Home Seller to Cover Closing Costs

If you’re apart on price for the home itself, one way to get around the cash crunch and get a deal done is to meet the home seller on price, but ask them to cover all or part of the buyer’s closing costs. Some home sellers might balk, but if they’re able to do this and want to finish the deal with a sale at a particular price point, this technique can work.

Be Willing to Walk Away

Buying a home can be an intensely emotional experience, but at the end of the day it is really just a business transaction. This means you can’t get attached, and you have to be willing to walk away if you’re unable to negotiate with a home seller or if the seller becomes unreasonable. If the seller’s agent senses desperation or over-eagerness on your part, they might interpret that as a signal that they have the upper hand. Silence can be your friend. Hold your cards close and always be willing to walk away.

First, what does it mean to buy a home as-is? It means that you are buying a home exactly in the condition that it appears, and the sellers aren’t making any warranties about the condition of the property. If there are things wrong with the house, from cosmetic damage to major structural issues, they will be the responsibility of the buyer to repair. In other words, as the house’s new owner, its problems are your problems.

Homes that are in foreclosure and short sales are typically sold as-is. In both cases, the seller is taking a loss on the property and understandably doesn’t want to sink more money into making repairs. In the case of foreclosures, the seller (usually a bank) hasn’t lived in the property and isn’t in a position to know everything that’s wrong with the house. Since foreclosures and short sales frequently occur below market value, it’s understood that the buyer will have to repair any issues at his or her own expense, adding to the costs involved when buying a house as-is.

When houses are considered teardowns or are otherwise in poor condition, it is common to present a purchase offer that is as-is. This communicates to the seller that the buyer is going to invest in the house and expects a lower price because they’re willing to assume full responsibility for everything that’s wrong with the house. For the same reason, it is also common to present an as-is offer when bidding well below the asking price, even if the house being sold is in good condition. In these instances, it indicates that the buyer has fewer hang-ups that may prevent a deal from going through. It also means that there won’t be ugly or expensive surprises for the sellers if issues are uncovered during the inspection period.

Just because a home is offered as-is, it doesn’t mean that the seller can lie outright as to the condition of the property. Regardless of the terms of sale, the seller is obligated to disclose any major issues with the house. Even if you purchase a home as-is, a major undisclosed issue can be found to be the responsibility of the seller, provided he or she knew of them prior to sale.

When a house is being offered as-is, there is always concern on the part of prospective buyers that something is wrong with the house. Once your offer to purchase a home as-is has been accepted, it is still essential to have a full inspection and to use your inspection period wisely. With the inspection report in hand, qualified tradesmen or contractors can come to the property to present you with bids to fix the issues that were uncovered. This will let you know exactly how much repairing your new house will cost and allow you to assess the purchase.

Even if your purchase agreement for a home states that you’re buying the home as-is, there is no reason that you can’t go ask the sellers to make repairs. If it’s an older home, you’ll certainly have uncovered things that they failed to disclose and some things that may cause the house to deteriorate if not addressed promptly. Sellers are not obligated to fix these issues. That said, pointing out nicely that they are sticking points in advancing the deal may encourage them to repair a few outstanding issues or provide a credit to you at closing.

Buying a house as-is with right to inspect can be a hornet’s nest, but most contracts are designed with clauses that allow the buyer to exit an agreement if the property proves to be uninhabitable or simply unappealing after the inspection period. Ultimately, this deal type has few drawbacks and can be a useful approach for getting a great deal on a home. Just be sure to budget carefully and consider all the costs involved when buying a house as is.

When purchasing a home with a mortgage, you need to get title insurance and a survey. This is required for all financed home purchases. An attorney or title company typically orders property surveys. Though the buyer has to pay for this service they usually don’t need to be directly involved in the process.

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is just another line item expense when purchasing your house, paid for one time at closing. Essentially, it is protection for you and your mortgage company that the person selling you the house has full and clear title to the property and was able to legally pass it to you. The title insurance company investigates the ownership of the property and then insures their work. If the seller didn’t rightfully own the home, and someone else does, the mortgage company and the homebuyer are financially protected. Fortunately, issues of title defects are relatively rare, meaning that title insurance isn’t too expensive and really not something to worry about.

What is a Property Survey?

A property survey is a carefully measured drawing that shows the land that is for sale and all structures on the property. It shows how large all the structures are and how far they are from each other and the borders of the property. Most importantly, it shows setbacks and easement lines.

Wait, what? It seems like the property lines and structures should be most important, but they are not. The setbacks and easement restrictions are actually the most critical elements of the survey because those are usually where the biggest problems are found.

What is a Setback?

A setback is the required distance between the house you wish to buy and other property features. For example, a city or county ordinance (or even a homeowners association) may require that homes be set back 20 feet from the road. So even though you own your front yard, you cannot extend your house any closer than 20 feet from the road.

Other setbacks indicate how closely you can build to your property boundaries or to your neighbors’ homes. If you live in an area with natural features like streams or lakes, certain special setbacks may also dictate how close you can build to these structures.

What is an Easement?

Easements refer to property with common usage rights. For example, you may own the land that a sidewalk is on, but anyone can walk on this part of your property.

Why Setbacks and Easement Restrictions Matter

What happens if the survey reveals that part of the house (the actual structure) up for sale sits within a setback or an easement? It’s a problem! In some instances it means that part of the house will need to be torn down before it can lawfully be sold. Otherwise title cannot be passed to a new owner because someone is attempting to sell property that was not built legally.

Surprisingly, this situation is not so uncommon. It may not affect the main domicile on a property, but garden sheds or pool equipment are occasionally located in an area where they don’t have a legal right to be. In these cases your lawyer has some work to do. Hopefully, you’ll discover that the structures are grandfathered because they were erected before certain setbacks were enacted. But definitely investigate these matters fully, as doing future improvements on the property may necessitate that they be corrected in the process.

Spend Some Time With Your Property Survey

For some, the survey process is one of those “check the box” items during home buying. Most get it done and move on. But it’s important to look over everything carefully and ask questions. Surveyors are happy to discuss the survey with you, and errors on surveys can occur. Spending 15 minutes looking this over will save you the headache of having it redone down the road when you want to build or make a change on your property.

Exclusive listings mean that the listing agent (technically the listing broker) is guaranteed to receive a commission when the house sells regardless of who found the buyer or is representing them. The commission is earned because the exclusive listing agent is the sole representative of the seller during the transaction. But how do brokers get exclusive real estate listings?

There are several ways that agents get exclusive real estate listings. Here we’ll identify some of the strategies that agents use to land lucrative listings. The type of listing that we’re discussing is the most common form of real estate listing in the United States, an exclusive right-to-sell listing. The only time this form of listing isn’t used to sell a residential property in the U.S. is when the homeowner wants to reserve certain rights to sell the home without the assistance of the broker and thereby save the commission. Outside the U.S., other types of arrangements, including shared-exclusives, are common. Although the commission structures are different, these principles of how to get exclusive real estate listings apply.

1. Relationships, Communication and Availability

As in all business, relationships are the most important thing. Good communication with the seller is an important part of securing an exclusive listing. The seller should know that the listing agent is committing to work with them and be their representative throughout the sales process. Agents need to make themselves available to the seller to discuss the property and any progress at any time. When presenting a proposal to a homeowner, listing agents might want to suggest regular discussion times at least once-a-week to discuss progress and activity, even when things are moving slowly. This is especially appealing to absentee homeowners.

2. A Unique Marketing Plan With Proven Effectiveness

Sellers mostly want the same things: to sell their homes quickly and for the most money possible given the market. To do this, a home needs good visibility. Agents should be prepared to demonstrate an understanding of the best audience for the home and to explain how the home will be advertised for sale. For some homeowners, marketing plans are the major distinguishing factors between agents. Agents should also have a plan for open houses, knowing when these will be held and how frequently, along with how they intend to attract qualified buyers.

3. Smart Strategy for Determining the Listing Price of a Property

A homebuyer may choose one real estate agent over another based solely on the price they think their house should be listed for, obviously going with the agent who values their home the highest. A home that’s too expensive won’t sell, so caution is always advised here.

To get listings, agents need to be knowledgeable about comparable properties that have recently sold, and also what else is on the market. An agent should know what’s on the market nearby in the same price range – the homes that a prospective homebuyer will be looking at. For a home to sell, the listing price needs to reflect how it compares to other similar properties currently on the market. When a homeowner is too aggressive about selling prices, sometimes it’s best for an agent to walk away and revisit listing the home after another broker has been unable to sell it.

In certain market conditions, there is a lot more latitude. Not long ago, agents used to suggest going to market at a low price and inviting a competitive bidding situation. Today, many brokers are comfortable going to market at a above-market price to appease homeowners (especially those who may be underwater on their financing), while advising buyer’s agents to present any offers no matter how much below the listing price.

4. Ensuring That the Property Shows Beautifully

“You only have one chance to make a first impression.” This applies to homes as much as it does people. Houses need to be clean, clutter-free, bright and even smell nice to sell. A listing real estate agent needs to be prepared to attend to these details and shouldn’t overlook the importance of these items when soliciting a seller for their listing. Agents should have contacts at staging companies and for tradesmen who can make repairs. If there are any cost-effective home improvements, like repainting, that can make a difference in the appearance or value of the home, a listing agent should suggest these to the homeowner and explain how they should lead to a faster sale for more money.

5. Get Competitive on Contract Details

In the U.S., for most types of homes and in most markets, brokerage commissions are uniform so agents aren’t competing on price. In rare instances and competitive markets, brokers will cut fees to get a listing, but more often than not, the above mentioned details make the difference between getting a listing or not.

There are a couple of items of the listing agreement that do vary, and movement on one of these items can make a difference for certain homeowners. Length of the listing agreement can be as short as 30 days to six months or longer. Some clients may be tempted to consider a shorter-term exclusive with renewal options rather than entering into a long deal.

The Final Word on Exclusives

A seller’s agent needs to start by selling to the sellers. They should be prepared to market themselves, their marketing plan and their savvy to sellers who are looking for the agent who will help them to get the best price for their house as efficiently as possible. They need to come up with creative ways of getting the word out about properties and encouraging buyer’s agents to attend open houses. When closing a sale successfully, let the neighbors know. This can be done with direct mail or other marketing strategies. The more unique the approach, and the more proven effectiveness shown in closing deals, the better an agent’s chances are of securing additional exclusive real estate listings.

As a seller, you’re generally required by law to disclose what you know about your home’s termite damage, asbestos tiles, vermiculite insulation, or asbestos siding. The regulations governing disclosures of material facts vary from state to state, but most sales do require a signed statement of known issues. In California, for example, sellers will be required to indicate whether they have been aware of “substances, materials or products which may be an environmental hazard such as, but not limited to, asbestos.”

Selling a Home with Cement Asbestos Tiles

The first key to selling a home with cement asbestos tiles is to know the facts. Asbestos contamination is an issue that’s received a lot of attention in the last few decades, but asbestos is only dangerous under certain circumstances. Asbestos is a mineral silicate, once admired for its fire-resistant and insulate properties. While it is no longer used in the United States due to the dangers of inhaling the glass-like dust particles, it exists in an undisturbed state in many American homes. Asbestos tiles, if left alone, are not dangerous. It is generally inadvisable to tear up cement asbestos tiles, and selling a home with cement asbestos tiles that are undisturbed and intact may in fact be easier than selling a home with airborne construction debris.

You do have a legal obligation to disclose known asbestos in your home, but buyers should know that asbestos tiles are common in older homes. The Minnesota Department of Health reports that “flooring that contains asbestos, when intact and in good condition, is generally considered nonfriable and not hazardous.” Friable flooring is flooring that can be crushed or turned to dust by hand. Cement asbestos floor tiles are only dangerous when particles can be inhaled, so your potential buyer may agree that leaving the floor undisturbed is the best option when dealing with asbestos.

Selling a Home Treated for Termites

Selling a home that’s been treated for termites should not be particularly hard if you can demonstrate how the problem has been controlled, how the damage was repaired, and how you’ve continued to protect the home from ongoing termite damage. Potential buyers may ask to see paperwork, which could include descriptions of the termite damage, bills from termite treatment professionals, or inspection reports showing the extent of termite damage. If the buyer’s certified termite inspection reveals untreated termite infestations or previously undetected termite damage, steps will generally need to be taken to control the problem before the sale can go through. Termite abatement should be handled by a skilled professional for reasons of safety and effectiveness as well as for the sake of adequate documentation. If a termite inspection reveals evidence of termite damage but no live insects, the home will still be considered infested unless there is proof of prior treatment. It is to your advantage, as a seller, to have a termite infestation professionally treated before selling your termite-damaged home.

In some states, there will be specific questions on seller disclosure forms which relate to termites. Texas, for instance, asks sellers to check a box if they are “aware of active termites” while New York asks both “is there any termite, insect, rodent or pest infestation or damage?” and ” has the property been tested for termite, insect, rodent or pest infestation or damage?” No matter where you live, your obligation as a seller is to be honest in answering all questions about termite infestations and treatment.

Selling a Home with Asbestos Siding

As in the case of cement asbestos tiles, asbestos siding is dangerous when it’s damaged, crushed, or turned to dust. As long as the asbestos siding on your home is intact and in good repair, buyers may wish to cover rather than replace the siding. Whether or not you cover asbestos tiles before selling your home, you are required by law to disclose their presence to any potential buyers. Buyers may want to know what condition the tiles are in, and many inspectors will recommend simply covering asbestos tiles with vinyl or HardiPlank siding rather than undertaking an expensive removal process. The most common management procedure for undamaged asbestos siding is to encase or cover the asbestos tiles with new siding. Since many homes were covered in asbestos tile siding in the 1970s, most home inspectors will be familiar with the most affordable and safe management methods.

Selling a Home with Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a mineral substance that is often found in attics, especially as insulation in the spaces between joists. The product, which looks like course sand or gravel, is made by heating tiny mineral flakes to create puffy particles with fire-resistant and insulating properties. While vermiculite insulation can be excellent at retaining heat, it can also be dangerous: Before 1990, most of the U.S. vermiculite supply came from an asbestos-contaminated mine. The mine, near Libby, Montana, produced vermiculite under the brand name Zonolite. Since so much vermiculite was produced at the Libby, Montana mine and is contaminated with asbestos fibers, it is generally advisable for homeowners to treat all vermiculite insulation as a potential source of asbestos dust.

As in the case of asbestos siding or asbestos tiles, vermiculite insulation is best left undisturbed. If it can be left alone, it should be – this means not walking on it, not spending time in the attic or using the attic for storage, and not attempting to remove vermiculite insulation without consulting a professional. As a home seller, your responsibility is to disclose the presence of vermiculite insulation to potential buyers. You may want to research the cost of vermiculite removal, especially if it is in a high-traffic area or if the home is going to be remodeled. Working around vermiculite insulation can be dangerous, and renovations should be undertaken with care.

If you’ve discovered termite damage, asbestos tiles, asbestos siding, or vermiculite in your home, then as a seller, you have the legal responsibility to disclose these issues to a potential buyer. With appropriate management, however, asbestos, vermiculite, and treated termite damage can become minor issues that won’t stand in the way of a successful home sale.

Nevertheless, the repercussions have been felt. Homes are still not as easy to sell as they used to be because of the economic slowdown nationwide. So, if you are selling a house in Minnesota, here are a few handy tips to follow.

Selling a house in Minnesota is all about the price tag:

Price your home correctly, says the Cheryl Brenna Group. Conduct thorough research on the going rate for a comparable home in the same area. At a time when there are a lot of options in the market, you don’t want to price your home too high. But also be mindful of getting too competitive and pricing too low. You could lose a lot of money that way. Hire a real estate agent who could work with you through the process. The Internet may seem very empowering, but you still need a professional to guide you, Marris said.

Market your home:

Be specific in your advertisements. Effective marketing is very essential to lure in buyers. Make sure you hire a real estate agent because they know the latest and greatest technology to market your home, Marris said. Buyers are getting more specific in their home searches on the Internet, she said. They would be as specific in their search as looking for a four bedroom house in a large wooded lot with the view of a pond, she said. “A Realtor® who blogs knows how to include those details in the ad so the listings match the search,” she said. “And they use Twitter, Facebook and blogs to reach out to potential buyers in addition to traditional ways.”

Home location is key:

Like everywhere else, location is key to getting a home off the market quicker. And there’s good news if you are trying to sell a house in Rochester, Mn. The market is slowly moving from a buyer’s paradise to a seller’s domain. “What a lot of people don’t know is business is up significantly,” Marris said. “The statistics are great.”

Dress up your home:

First impressions are most important, whether you’re selling a home in Rochester, Minnesota or anywhere else. Make sure your house is in the perfect condition for showing. Have a neutral decor and strip off any item that lends a personal touch. Pack up all the family and vacation photos. “Make sure the buyers can see themselves in your house rather than your family,” Marris said.

High-End Housing Market Picking Up in Minnesota

Marris said sellers who’ve been in the market for a while shouldn’t feel discouraged. The numbers suggest that the end is in sight. In fall of 2011, sales of homes in Rochester, Minnesota tagged at $500,000 or more were up 133 percent when compared to the previous year, Marris said.

The high-end market came to a standstill when the stock market crashed in 2008. “Buyers in that segment had money to lose and they went into a saving mode,” Marris said. “Also, banks started requiring 20 to 25 percent down payment on luxury homes.” But, banks have now eased their lending terms, and those buyers have recuperated. So, they are out again shopping for their dream home.

Two Ways to Bid on a Repossessed Home

There are two options for bidding on a repossessed home:

• Through a trustee/lien. All sales are made public knowledge. Check your newspaper or contact your local county courthouse. Before actually bidding on a property, you may want to attend an auction or watch a webcast and see how they operate. Do not bid too early or you will only push the price higher.

• Online. You can also bid on repossessed properties online. Try the websites of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, credit unions and major banks. eBay’s real estate section also offers prospective homebuyers the opportunity to bid. If bidding on eBay, you need to know whether you’re bidding on just the down payment or the total amount. Read the fine print, and do your research before bidding.

When you’re ready to bid, contact the lender and make an offer. Read below how to determine the market value and reduce the sales price that’s listed by up to 40 percent. If that offer is declined, resubmit an offer of 30 to 35 percent below market value.

Before Bidding on a Repossessed Home – Research and Inspect

Once you have located a repossessed property you’re interested in bidding on, you need to research the property. Do a title search so you can determine if any back taxes or a second or even third mortgage are due on the property. The winning bidder will be responsible for all debts past due.

You will also want to determine the market value of the property. Look online at your local property appraiser’s office or tax collector’s office. Find recently sold properties that are similar. You can also consult a real estate broker to do this research for you, but they will charge you for this service.

Just as important when bidding on a repossessed property is to inspect the property. Many repossessed homes or distressed properties have fallen into disrepair. If the home needs a lot of work, get an estimate from a reputable contractor. Too many repairs and the home is no longer the bargain you are looking for.

Using a Real Estate Agent Instead of Bidding on Repossessed Homes

Bidding on a repossessed home is challenging and time-consuming.  Buying a home is huge investment.  Many buyers choose to use a real estate agent to do all the research and background work for them. If this is the route you would rather take, make sure you look for a CDPE (certified distressed property expert). These real estate agents have been trained and certified in dealing with foreclosed or short sale homes.

Should you Bid on a Repossessed Home?

If you have the time and knowledge it takes to do the background research on a repossessed home, you could save yourself a great deal of money off the market value of the home. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to add the cost of any repairs to the home to your bid in order to determine the true savings. If you’re a DIY kind of person, the savings could be substantial. Doing your homework on the property before bidding is imperative.

We continue here with a look at wind power for home use, along with sources for further research and information.

Why is wind power important?

Simply put, it’s good for your pocketbook and for the environment. At a time when saving money is on top of everyone’s mind, regardless of an individual’s financial health, opportunities to reduce the cost of basic expenses such as utilities are worth considering. And just as wind is a renewable resource, the savings on wind power are sustainable for the life of your home.

Natural gas power vs. wind power

From a short-term cost perspective, natural gas power, currently at a low price, is the better deal. However, even after considering the expense of installation, a wind power system is the most cost-effective way to go, thanks to a 30 percent tax credit for systems in service before December 31, 2016.

Environmentally speaking, although natural gas is among the cleanest of the fossil fuels, it still releases pollutants. Wind power systems do not, once the manufacturing and installation processes are complete.

In terms of reliability, natural gas power comes out on top. It’s readily available, whereas wind can be intermittent. This takes us to a look at the most ideal circumstances for wind systems to be most effective.

A flat, open expanse makes for the best situation in harnessing wind energy, as tall buildings and close, surrounding homes break wind patterns. In this situation, you have the option of going completely off the grid. In a more developed area, it’s not practical to expect there will be enough wind to run all your energy needs.

Want to see if you live in a region that has powerful winds? Find high-resolution wind maps and estimates of wind resource potential at Wind Powering America.

How does a wind energy system work?

The most common home system involves the use of turbines, which convert the kinetic energy into mechanical power. (Wind turbines/windmills are among the oldest forms of renewable energy, dating back to medieval times!) The kind of turbine you’ll need depends on where you live and how much you plan to use wind as your source for energy.

If you live in a remote area where wind is easy to come by (and height restrictions are less stringent), you have a choice of a rooftop turbine or one that sits on the ground and towers over your home. The latter can go as high as 120 feet!

As noted, living in a developed area isn’t conducive to using wind for all your power needs so a small rooftop turbine should be enough to generate the most feasible amount of energy in that environment.

Learn more about small wind systems for your home through the U.S. Department of Energy’s FAQs.

Where can I find home energy kits?

Save money at the start by doing it yourself! A quick search on the Internet yields a long list of sources for wind energy systems, so finding one will be easy enough. The key to finding the right one is doing some thoughtful research. Whether you make and install your own system or have it done for you, refer to the American Wind Energy Association for some helpful tips first.

In general, alternative home energy installation is the wave of the future. In fact, already there are those who would prefer the word “alternative” no longer be used as “renewable energy” becomes more mainstream.

Converting to renewable energy in an existing home is a major commitment. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on research, looking at the history of your energy use and predicting what it will be in the future. A growing family will gradually need more while empty-nesters may begin to use less. Saving money and “doing good” can only be positive things, but you’ll have to decide if all the work is worth it. We close with some general comments for your consideration.

Is renewable energy for me?

If you’re thinking about transitioning from fossil fuels for your energy needs, whether for financial or environmental reasons, the same considerations apply.

How much do you intend to use it? Where will you put it? (A wind or water turbine is more cumbersome than the nice flat panels of solar power.) What is your budget? What are the local zoning laws? Do you want to do it yourself?

Advantages and disadvantages of renewable sources of energy

First, the good news. The sun will shine and the wind will blow. Generations hence, these natural sources will be in abundant supply. The same can’t be said for fossil fuels.

Renewable sources don’t release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, making them environmentally sound and safe for all.

While initial costs to transition to renewable energy can be steep, the long-term cost-savings can be substantial. If you start with these alternatives in a new home, the savings are more immediate.

As for the not-so-good news, the main drawback (other than initial costs for existing homes) relates to the first note above. While the sun will shine, there will be cloudy days when not enough sunlight can be harnessed. Likewise, the wind may be, well, less windy. These can be worked around by storing energy during peak conditions, but it will take extra effort and solid planning.

In home buying, what seems ideal seldom is. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of living next to a golf course, especially if you’ve never lived on a course. Here are the top five things to keep in mind when hunting for your golf course home:

1. Courses are maintained, early and often. Lawns must be cut and tended to in the morning, before rounds are played. That means that groundskeepers are out on the course before sunrise. In places with a year-round golf season, putting greens are usually maintained every day. If a master bedroom window faces a green, headlights from golf carts and riding mowers will blaze through. The engine noises will be heard as well.

The fix: If you’re a sound sleeper, no worries. If you’re a light sleeper, make sure that your home is located on a fairway and relatively distant from greens and tee boxes that require more maintenance. Select a property that positions your master bedroom away from the course or look for window treatments such as blackout curtains. You may even want to consider investing in a white noise machine.

2. Pay attention to location of cart paths when house hunting. Many courses built in residential developments are lined on both sides by houses. The path for golf carts will run along one side of the fairway from tee box to green. If a cart path is directly behind a home, golf carts will be zipping by all day. This can be more than a little disruptive to the otherwise serene setting a golf course affords.

The fix: Proximity to a cart path does affect housing lot desirability and this should be reflected in the price of a home. Sometimes a house in one of these “high-traffic areas” will be a great deal. Good landscaping can block out some disturbance, but will also block views from the ground level. Smart positioning of outdoor features like decks, pools, hot tubs and other water features is a must to minimize the disruption of carts zooming by.

3. Tee boxes and greens are regular stopping points. Every golfer will park his or her cart at every tee box and putting green during a round of play. If a house is located near these course elements, players will be stopping near your home throughout the day. Their chatting and laughter will be audible, and their loud golf pants will be visible. If a house is on a cart path near a tee box or green, carts will park on the path regularly.

The fix: Where there’s a golf course, there are golfers. This will always be true. So when viewing a house at a golf course, always sit out back or facing the course and wait for a foursome to play through. Take note of where they park their carts and how much noise they make while playing. If you’re not comfortable with the noise and motion of the golfers, then the house is not for you.

4. Understand all of the deed restrictions. One of the potential cons of living next to a golf course is that homes are almost always in deed-restricted communities where certain aspects of home maintenance and modification are regulated by a homeowners’ association (HOA). In order to maintain a certain look and feel of the course, house exterior paint colors usually need to be selected from a limited palette. You probably can’t put a swing set in your backyard, facing the course. Landscaping requirements may mandate that a certain density of trees be planted on your property and which species are acceptable – this may seem un-American, but it is rather common. In golf course communities, homeowners tend to have visible pride of ownership and take these rules very seriously. Golfers who can see your house from the course may complain to the community or HOA if they notice that you’re behind on maintenance.

The fix: If you like the feel of a neighborhood, aspects of the deed restrictions probably appeal to you. It means that many qualities of the neighborhood will be retained for years. Always request the HOA documents and read through them when contemplating the purchase of a golf course house that is part of a deed-restricted community. These documents are often available online. If the rules don’t work for you, look elsewhere.

5. Golf course land is often off-limits for non-golf activities. Golf courses are great for playing golf, but can’t be used for much else. Recreational walking or biking on cart paths is forbidden at almost all courses. You can’t walk your dog along a fairway.

The fix: If you like to walk or bike, make sure that a golf course community also serves these needs as well. Even if you live on a golf course, you won’t play every day, and your golf course home should meet the needs of a well-balanced life.

There’s no question that having a house at golf course provides a great quality of life for many people. If you think a golf course home might be right for you, just remember to weigh the pros and cons and carefully research specific properties before taking the leap into homeownership. Then you can enjoy all the perks of living next to golf course views.

You most likely have your own ideas of what sort of bathroom colors and design you would like in your new house, but there are other, more practical considerations when looking at a bathroom.

Beware of Leaky Plumbing

You don’t need to be a plumber to discern leaks in a bathroom. Sometimes, bathroom floors tell the whole story. Look for stained, raised or bubbled vinyl flooring. Use the toe of your shoe to press on the flooring around the toilet. If it feels spongy, the toilet may be leaking.

If the home is two stories, check the ceiling in the room beneath the tub. Water stains there are an indication that the tub may be leaking.

Plumbing leaks may be expensive to repair, so it’s a job many homeowners put off as long as possible. Unfortunately, the leak may cause structural damage to the home, so order further inspections if you notice leaking plumbing in the bathroom.

Bathroom Design Considerations

Pretty bathrooms are distracting. Smart homeowners and their real estate agents understand this concept and use it to their advantage. Learn to look beyond the wall color, the new flooring and fixtures to determine if the bathroom’s design works for you.

• Bathroom fixtures: Do the faucets turn easily? Do they drip? When you run water, does the water run fast or slow?
• Lighting: Is there sufficient light in the bathroom? Lighting around mirrors should be bright and clear, while softer, warmer lighting may be used to set a relaxing mood in the rest of the room.
• Plumbing access: If there is a plumbing problem, how easily can the plumbing be accessed? Do storage, vanities and other items block access to plumbing? Do pipes have shut-off valves?
• Storage: People sometimes overlook the oh-so-important aspect of bathroom storage, especially in small bathroom design. Check that there’s enough space to store toiletries, bath supplies, towels and other essentials.
• Ventilation: Is the bathroom adequately ventilated? A bathroom designed without a ceiling fan could be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Make sure the ceiling fan vents outside the house, and test it to make sure it works.

How Many Bathrooms do You Need?

While it’s always a good idea to remain flexible enough to allow compromises when house hunting, the number of bathrooms your family requires is typically not negotiable. Any family member that knows what it’s like to stand outside a bathroom door, waiting her turn in the morning, will fight for more bathrooms. So, even if a home is perfect in every other way, or a smokin’ hot deal, think twice about compromising on the number of bathrooms you need. Besides, a home with more than one bathroom has better resale value than a single bath home.