1. Caulk
If you’ve lived in your house a few years, you probably noticed that the caulk along your sinks, countertops and bathtub is coming loose. These gaps may not seem like a big deal, but they can wreak havoc inside your walls. Moisture causes mold and even leaks – expensive repairs that can easily be prevented. A tube of kitchen and bath caulk costs just a few dollars, and you’ll avoid expensive repairs.

2. Insulate
The quickest way to save money on your energy bill is to insulate, yet so many of us overlook this simple home improvement project for its benefits. Sure, your walls are insulated, but what about your basement, your attic, and your garage? Just in case the energy cost savings aren’t enticing enough for you, check with the IRS – there are current credits that allow you to deduct this energy-saving expense from your taxes.

3. Change Filters
When was the last time you changed your furnace’s air filters? It’s an oft-overlooked chore, but one that keep your furnace running efficiently, and improves the air quality inside your home. Change your filters at least every three months to keep your furnace working efficiently for years to come.

4. Install a Thermostat
Does your home have a programmable thermostat? If not, invest in one; it’ll earn its money back in no time. By programming heating and cooling, you avoid paying to keep an empty house at a comfortable temperature. Manage the heat appropriately in winter to avoid burst water pipes; in summer, draw your curtains during the day to keep the house cool. Buy a programmable thermostat and you can save big on monthly bills.

5. Fix Leaks
That leaky faucet or runny toilet is draining your water bill, and in most cases it’s a cheap and quick fix. Replace the washer on your faucet, and while you’re at it, consider installing a faucet aerator if yours doesn’t already have one. Faucet aerators reduce water flow from your faucet to save on your water bill; check your home improvement store for this inexpensive fix.

6. Install Dimmers
Dimmers aren’t just for romance; they can save you big bucks on your energy bill. They’re cheap and easy to install, so look for rooms that could use a little reduction in harsh lighting. While you’re at it, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. They’re big money savers.

7. Clean Carpets
Clean your carpet lately? With proper care, carpets can last a long time and look great, but everyone needs to clean them sometime. You don’t need to hire an expensive service either – if you can vacuum, you can clean your carpets by yourself. Rent a carpet cleaner at your local supermarket or big-box store for a modest fee. Make sure you vacuum thoroughly before cleaning, and pick a dry day so your carpet dries quickly. With regular cleaning your carpet can last a long time, saving you big bucks on new flooring.

8. Clean Siding and Windows
Windows and siding get a beating in most climates. Wash your windows and siding with a simple hose and water first, and with a cleaning solution as needed; your home improvement store sells specialty products for just this kind of job. Rent a power washer for very dirty jobs. Keep an eye on cobwebs, wasp and bird nests to ensure your home’s exterior stays in good shape. Touch up with paint as needed, and your house will look like new at little or no cost.

9. Fight Pests
Those spiders and ants at your foundation, that mouse nest in your crawl space? Take care of it – pests can destroy a home in a hurry. Hire an exterminator, or for small pests, combat with pesticides. Even if you don’t think you have a problem, inspect every part of the interior and exterior of your home regularly to avoid small pest problems getting out hand.

10. Clean Ductwork
If your home is older, your ductwork likely has dust, grime, and other unwelcome residue inside. For big jobs, pay a professional; a simple cleaning can easily be done yourself. Simply remove the grates from your air vents, and clean the inside with your vacuum.

The Bottom Line
The best way to invest in your home is to take good care of what’s already there. With these simple repair jobs, you’ll even save money – with just a little elbow grease as investment

Warren Buffett once said “price is what you pay…..value is what you get.”  When it comes to real estate transactions, this is quite true.  For example, when exploring options and choosing a mortgage lender, a borrower may decide to give his business to the one with the lowest interest rate. The lender could be a bank. Often this is an online lender.  The online lender touts the lowest rate available and the ease with which they can process and approve a home loan.  So, the borrower applies with the online lender and the process begins.  Of course, there is no face to face meeting.  Everything is done online.  The closest thing to a relationship between the borrower and lender is a phone conversation, which is brief.  Now, the online lender may indeed have the lowest rate and may be able to complete the transaction.  But what happens if problems occur during the transaction?  When I say problems, I also mean turbulence…..rough spots, such as a low appraisal. Online lenders simply contract with an appraisal company they find near the area where the home is located.  The online lender has no relationship established with the appraisal company, and they use the appraisal company because perhaps they are the least expensive and are licensed to do residential appraisals.  This may work fine for the online lender, but what about their client, the borrower? Using just any appraiser can spell trouble for a real estate loan, believe me.  When there is no expectation of future business from the online lender, an appraiser is far more likely to be overly cautious and prudent in his assessment of value.  Furthermore, he is likely to cite repairs to be made even if they are minor and tedious.  How do I know this happens?  Twenty plus years of mortgage lending experience, that is how.  It happens all the time and a borrower who decides he needs to go with the lender with the lowest rate is not always making a wise decision.  So, OK, he is getting a low price, but what about the value?  The online lender is not interested in future business or the reputation of how they conduct business.  They are in it for the transaction, and that is all.  They do not attend the closing and if an appraisal comes in low, an online lender is not at all likely to pitch in and work through the problem.  Many times over the years I have intervened on my clients’ behalf when turbulence occurred, not just for my borrower, but also for my realtor partners and even the seller. Intervention on my part can be several things, but often it is my persuading underwriting to work with me and approve a loan.  Sometimes I help my realtor partners or even a borrower with money when funds are short and we need to close. This kind of participation and help is something I provide because I value my business and most of all my reputation.  A solid reputable business is not easily acquired.  It is earned, and is something I cherish.

     An online lender or just any lender with a low rate helping out like this?  Friends, it won’t happen, rest assured.  As I stated at the beginning, price and value are two very different things.  So what if a lender is .125 or .25 percent lower on rate?  When push comes to shove if they cannot deliver or if they leave parties to a transaction twisting in the wind, what do you have?  Nothing, that’s what, or at least some very regretful folks who should have been wiser in their choice of lender.

Post contributed by Rena Rogers with AmericaHomeKey (770) 387-4504 ext. 208 www.renarogers.net

Eight important questions to ask your agent

Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent:

1. Why should I work with you?
2. What do you do better than other real estate agents?
3. What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs?
4. What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them?
5. What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home?
6. What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials?
7. Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients?
8. Why did you become a real estate agent?

We would love to share with you our history in real estate and put our team to work for you.  Give us a call to meet whenever you’re ready!  770-606-0054

Routine Maintenance of Your Home

While all of us are not currently in the market to buy or sell, studies show that we most likely will be within the next 7 years.  With that in mind, it’s always good to be keeping the care of your home before you so you don’t have any costly surpises awaiting you when it’s your time to go on the market.  With warmer weather here to stay, now is the time to get outside and see what needs to be maintained in your home.

As a starter, what does the paint look like?  Keeping a fresh coat of paint on your home instantly makes it more appealing to potential buyers and shows that you are a responsible and caring homeowner.  That will at least peak interest to see the inside of the home.

Have a regular termite inspection done.  Even though you may not see any visible signs of termites yet, that doesn’t mean they may not be eating away already on a corner of your home.

Change your air filters.  Not only does this keep your air conditioning cooler, it also cuts down on problems that arise with the unit itself. 

Seal any cracks in windows, doors or tile areas on the inside or outside of your home with caulk or sealant so water won’t be able to seep into walls, ceilings or floors. 

Regualrly inspect your pipes, hoses and air ducts.  Be sure there are no holes or leaks in these to keep from having water damage or increased utility bills.

Keep an eye on your homes foundation.  All homes will do some settling over time and the changes in weather contribute to this.  Do your best to make sure no major shifts occur that could be costly to repair.

Keep your lawn looking good.  Putting fertilizer on your lawn and killing the weeds gives an added curb appeal to your home.  As does keeping fresh flowers and well manicured shrubs.  These items contribute to the whole feel of your home and will cause future buyers to remember your property when they think of well maintained homes.

Even if you do all of these things, home damages do occur.  The best thing to do in these cases is to fix the problem immediately.  A hole in a wall or a slightly leaking pipe may not seem like a big deal at the time.  However, the longer you wait to fix these common problems, the more potential damage can be done and only adds to the final repair bill.

If you do decide to list your home on the market soon, don’t forget to give us a call first.  Part of our listing appointment includes looking at the home and offering suggestions for ways to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.  While trends do change, it’s our job to stay on top of what sells.  Let us help you whenever you’re ready!

Dawn Mayes shares her recent experience of utilizing Bonnie Mullinax and The Mullinax Team.

“In a very difficult housing market, Bonnie Mullinax is the person to get the job done.  We had our house on the market for 14 months with no results.  After we listed our home with Bonnie, the house sold in less than 3 months!  Her expertise and her great team of people make all the difference.  We were also extremely pleased that she or her staff were always available to respond to our phone calls or emails when we had questions or needs.  Selling our house long-distance, her care and attention were very important to us, and we knew we were in good hands with Bonnie!”

If we can help you buy or sell your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 770-606-0054.  You can also check out our most recent listings at www.mullinaxteam.com

Lowe’s Inside Out E-Newsletter

As a preferred realtor with Lowe’s, I have great access for you to homeowner information, tips and coupons!  Just send your email address to info@mullinaxteam.com and put “add me to Lowe’s newsletter” in the subject line and we can get you set up on Lowe’s monthly, “Inside Out e-Newsletter”.  This monthly email includes a note from me along with other helpful home information, including tips on buying, selling and moving and features periodic links to project starters and Lowe’s how-to videos.

We’re excited about this great partnership and looking forward to providing you with quality information from Lowe’s!

Making your Investment Property more Manageable

Whether you have one rental property or several, we think you can benefit from these cost saving ideas.  We’ve found there are two major components that need to be addressed when tenants move out;  the walls and the floors.

Why not work to get all of your properties up to date with neutral wall colors and laminate wood floors?  This way, you don’t have to necessarily paint each wall but can simply touch them up with the same color.  Additionally, the wood laminate floors provide a great alternative to carpet because you don’t have to replace it and it’s not as easily damaged by pets and other normal wear and tear.

If all of your homes have the same products installed, it makes it much more cost effective to do the minor repairs you need before the next tenants move in.  This saves you both time and money!

Home Updates-What’s the New “In”?

Are you thinking of doing some updates in your home?  Usually within about five years of the new “hot” item on the maket, something else comes along to replace it.  If you’re wanting to keep the value of your home up or are looking to sell soon, it would be a good idea to think about what may need updating in your home.  Remember, potential buyers will be comparing your home to new construction, so knowing what is “in” will help you get the most money on the sale of your home.

From my experience of being in homes the last 22 years, there are two top priorities for holding the value of your home and making it more desirable to the majority of buyers.  The first is to think about what is on your walls and the second is to think about what is on your floors.

This may be tough news for some of you, but the days of wallpaper and border are gone.  The new homes these days come standard with neutral wall colors and that’s what buyers compare your home to when they are browsing the market.  If you have wallpaper or border in some of your rooms, consider taking them down and priming and painting them with a good beige, taupe or other neutral color that can go with any decorating style.

Additionally, many new homes come with wood floors or laminate wood floors throughout the house.  This can help keep down smells if there are pets, they are easy to clean and they do not need to be replaced like carpet does.  This is especially true for buyers  looking at your home as an investment property and are considering renting it out.  When most tenants move out, the walls need to be touched up and often carpet needs to be replaced.  By having wood laminate floors, the risk is greatly reduced that the owner will need to replace the flooring before the next tenant moves in.  This can save them a lot of money and give them an added incentive to buy your home.

So, before you hang more wallpaper or install more carpet, think about what potential buyers will be comparing your home to.  Hopefully that will help you get more when you’re ready to sell.

Paying attention to how your home will appear to others will help you sell your home

If you are trying to sell a home in today’s market there are a few things to keep in mind that will help your home stand apart from the pack.  Prioritize and analyze what will fit in your budget and take the steps necessary to make your home show well and appeal to prospective buyers.

• Fresh & Clean: Inspect your home inside and out. Does it need a fresh coat of paint? A new coat of paint will always be recouped in the sale of a home and is well worth the cost.  Does it look clean and spacious?  Pack up extra items that are not in use, the more clutter free the better it will show.  Just like an empty house shows better.

• Curb appeal: Pay attention to your home as if you were a potential buyer.  Is it warm and inviting?  Clean?  Spruce up your landscaping, make sure that your lawn is green and well-kept, that your flower beds are weeded and mulched, and that the exterior of your house is clean and presentable.

• Inspection: There will be a home inspection completed by the buyer after you receive the agreed upon contract. If its in your budget try to do one yourself.  Attend to as many items that could possibly hold up the sales process.

• Best areas of a home to update and remodel? The Master Bathroom and Kitchen.  Don’t spend the money to redo your entire home but remodeling the master bath and kitchen areas of your home will make it more appealing and quickly catch a buyer’s eye.

• Evaluate: Are the remodel/updates going to net you more than you are putting into them?  It is very important to pay attention to your local market and make the improvements that will help not hurt.  If you are not going to get the money back that you are intending to put into your home, don’t make changes.  Do only low-cost improvements and concentrate on making sure your home is kept neat and clean.

Check out YahooRealEstate.com for more information and helpful hints on ways to sell your home. If your interested in selling your home call Bonnie Mullinax at 770.606.0054 for a FREE market analysis.

There is no doubt that the first time home buyer tax credit is a great thing but there are a few things to know before you assume that you qualify for the full $8,000.  The tax credit breaks down as follows:
Who qualifies? First time home buyers and people (or spouses) who have not owned a home for the previous 3 years.  You must purchase your home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

• What qualifies for the first time home buyer’s tax credit? Only a primary house qualifies.  It does not matter if it is a single family home, duplex, townhome, condo, apartment or co-op, if it is a primary residence it will apply.

• What is the amount of the first time home buyer’s tax credit? $8,000 is the maximum amount of the credit.  There are 2 factors at play when it comes to getting the credit: The cost of the home and the income of the person or married couple purchasing the home.  The credit can be 10% of the closing price up to $8,000 or a person making $75,000 or less or a married couple making $150,000 or less are eligible for the full $8,000.

• Do you qualify for the first time home buyer’s tax credit if your income is higher? Yes and no.  If you make more than the $75,000/$150,000 limit you get less of a credit.  The maximum income is $95,000 for singles or $170,000 for couples.  If you make more than the maximum income you are not eligible for the tax credit.

The tax credit is a real boost for first time home buyers and does not have to be repaid.  If you qualify for the tax credit and have been considering purchasing a new home there could not be a better time to call a lender.  Low interest rates, low home values and the first time home buyer tax credit all add up to the right time to call Bonnie Mullinax your experienced Bartow County Realtor.

Resource and for more information: Realtor.org or call The Mullinax Team at 770.606.0054.