5 Installation Tips for Great-Looking Cabinets (Part II)

Tip #2: Start in the corner, work out from there
When hanging cabinets, just like when painting a floor, you don't want to end up in a corner--you want to start there. Some people install the base cabinets first, which gives them a "workbench" and reference point for installing the uppers. Others prefer hanging the uppers first, because they feel it's easier without the lower cabinets in the way. Either way, level, shim and square your corner cabinets so the cabinets next to them also wind up level and square.

Smart Idea: If the corner isn't perfectly square, use a utility knife to remove some of the drywall tape and taping compound in the areas that will be hidden by the cabinets once they are installed.

Check back tomorrow for tip #3.

A Vacation to Remember

If you're like many working adults, you've saved and planned for months in order to enjoy a much-anticipated vacation. You want to do everything you can to ensure that your trip is a memorable occasion for the entire family.

Your first step is to decide on a destination. Does your family enjoy participating in sports or activities? Are you more interested in exploring history or visiting landmarks? You may want to plan a trip around an interest that you share; make sure that each family member has a chance to voice his or her opinion.

Once you've determined where you want to go, you can begin looking for good deals. The earlier you schedule your travel and lodging, the more options you are likely to have, especially at discounted rates.

Travel Insurance -- as you budget for a vacation, travel insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense. In many instances, however, this coverage may be the best way to protect yourself and your family from the unexpected while traveling.

Many consumers aren't awar of the benefits travel insurance can provide; some policies even cover lost luggage and valuables. The cost of coverage is typically between five to seven percent of the total price of the vacation.

Travel insurance may also reimburse you if your vacation is cancelled or interrupted for unexpected reasons. Be sure to carefully read what the covered reasons are, however, before purchasing a policy.

Before traveling, check your current health insurance policy to see what is covered while out of your area of residence. If you are concerned that you don't have sufficient coverage, travel insurance can cover the difference. Even if you don't have any medical concerns, accidents can happen. In case of emergency, your travel insurance could reimburse you for the expense of being transported to the hospital as well as for the cost of the care you receive.

Of the 70 percent of U.S. travelers who purchase travel insurance, approximately one in six has had to file a claim. You may not need travel insurance, but the peace of mind you get from having it can allow you to enjoy a memorable, worry-free vacation.

5 Installation Tips for Great-Looking Cabinets (Part I)

Tip #1: Planning makes everything easier
Take the time to carefully lay out the position and height of each cabinet, and the job will go smoother further down the road. Find the high spot of the floor, measure up 34-1/2 in., and establish a level line to indicate the top of your base cabinets. Then measure, mark and label the position of each base cabinet. Repeat the same steps for the upper cabinets. That way, before you install the first screw, you'll know where everything goes and how it will fit.

Smart idea: Use your old kitchen cabinets for storage in the basement, laundry room and garage. The price is right and you won't have to pay someone to haul them away!

Check back tomorrow for tip #2.

Bed Covering Choices

Confused about the abundance of choices in bed coverings? Here's some information to "cover" your options and help you select what's right for your bed.

A comforter is the top layer of bedding, usually filled with down, feathers, cotton or hypoallergenic synthetic material. Comforters are often sold in complete bed sets that include a matching bedskirt and pillow shams.

A duvet is similar to a comforter, except that it is made to be encased in a removable cover to protect it and keep it clean.

If you are shopping for a down-filled comforter or duvet, consider weight and amount of fill, or the number of cubic inches per ounce of down. Lightweight comforters are approximately 26 ounces, while heavier (and warmer) comforters weigh in around 54 ounces. Standard fill is between 500 to 550, high-quality is usually 600 or above.

A bedspread or quilt covers the entire bed, including the mattress, box springs and pillows for a more formal, finished look. Handmade quilts should be handled very delicately, so you may want to purchase a more durable, machine-made quile for everyday use.

Home Tips

Lawn care
* Cut grass no shorter than 3 inches, and never more than 1/3 of the blade.
* Mow in the morning or evening.
* Deep watering, in the morning, is better for your grass than frequent, shallow watering.

Protect your home when you're on vacation.
* Lock doors and windows.
* Set timers on lights.
* Have mail and newspaper stopped or picked up by a neighbor.
* Unplug electronic devices vulnerable to power surges.

Energy Savers

I wanted to provide some helpful information about using energy efficiently.

Making your home energy efficient may cost a little bit up front, but the extra effort and expense can save you a lot of money in the future. Here are some energy-saving tips to try:

* Replace your old thermostat with a new digital one
* Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents
* Replace the old seal on your refrigerator door
* Get a furnace “tune-up”
* Install a ceiling fan

Many utility companies offer free energy audits by trained representatives who come to your home and point out areas where energy is being wasted.

I hope you find these tips helpful.

Fire Safety

I thought I would provide you with some valuable information about home safety.

As busy as we all get, it's sometimes easy to overlook fire safety and other home maintenance.

Remember to replace the old batteries in your home's smoke alarms regularly. While you're at it, dust each alarm and test it to make sure it is properly functioning. Make sure you have installed enough smoke alarms for the size of your home--at least one per floor, especially near bedrooms.

It's also a good idea to periodically check your fire extinguishers. Many models are useful only for a certain number of years before they must be serviced or replaced. Check your model to determine the time period. Each home should have at least one extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage.

Finally, because overloaded circuits are the cause of many home fires, you should take a few minutes to scan your home's power outlets and replace any cords or plugs that have cracks or other visible damage.

These easy tasks can make your home a safer place for everyone.

Homeownership Improves Lifestyle

Just a short note to share some information from an interesting article I recently read.

According to a “Home Ownership Survey” by Neighborhood Housing Services, home ownership enhances the quality of life and financial positions of most homeowners.

The reasons for this are:

* Increases in home value
* Interaction with neighbors
* Better conditions and amenities in the new neighborhood than in the previous one

I hope your experience is similar.

Market Trends

One of the biggest changes in real estate today is the emergence of the Internet as an increasingly valuable tool for home buyers and sellers.

According to the most recent research:

* 75% of home buyers have searched for real estate information online.
* 70% of home buyers and sellers agree that it's important for their agents to be Internet-savvy.
* The Internet is replacing local newspaper classified ads as the definitive resource for prospective home buyers.

Top 10 Places to Live!

Here are the top 10 places to live according to Relocate-America.com:

"The population of Asheville (NC) is only about 70,000, but this mid-size city ranked No. 1 on a list of the most popular places to live in 2007. Asheville made its second appearance on Relocate-America.com's annual top 10 list, compiled each year since 1998. The site attracts visitors in the process of relocating and is aimed at helping people research cities before making a move. The Web site is a service of HomeRoute, a Howell, Mich.-based company that also connects consumers to Realtors.

Below are the top 10 cities on Relocate-America.com's "America's Top 100 Places to Live for 2007:"

1. Asheville (NC)
2. Traverse City (MI)
3. Ithaca (NY)
4. Chicago (IL)
5. Cary (NC)
6. Portland (ME)
7. San Francisco (CA)
8. Stevens Point (WI)
9. O'Fallon (MO)
10. Spencer (IA)

To assemble the list, the site starts by asking visitors for nominations, which describe some of the characteristics of the cities, including people and neighborhoods, the beauty of the area, schools, activities, economic health and environmental health. The editorial staff then considers education, crime, employment and housing statistics for the past year in order to rank the cities, the company said in a news release."

Source: Real Trends Magazine (5/4/07)

I think Minnesota got shafted. We should nominate our cities to this site for consideration. What do you say?

$5 Ideas for Making a House More Appealing

Here are some ideas from a real estate expert in California.

"Real estate professionals in Sacramento, Calif., say it only takes a $5 investment to do some quick makeovers to attract potential buyers.

Here are five under $5 ideas:

1) Give the trim around the front door a fresh coat of paint, covering up fingerprints and dings.
2) Fertilize the grass so it looks bright green.
3) Hang a small flag that says “Welcome.”
4) Place a big pot of yellow marigolds in the foyer — yellow makes people feel comfortable.
5) Dribble a few drops of vanilla on the oven door and turn it to low (it’ll smell just like cookies are baking)."

Source: The Sacramento Bee, Jim Wasserman (05/04/07)

May Home Tips

* Clean and lubricate hinges, locks, and moving parts in window and door hardware once a year to maintain ease of use.
* Keep furniture, and other items that children may climb, away from windows for safety.
* Test the auto-reverse functions on your garage door monthly. Check the balance yearly. Familiarize yourself with the door's release system in case of emergency or power failure.

Home Safety

I wanted to discuss safety and security for you and your family. As always, I have your best interests at heart.

Safety and security are part of the comforts of home. There are some simple steps you can take to keep your loved ones safe.

Walk through your home and check the following items:

* Check that handrails and banisters on all stairs are in good repair. Install handrails where needed.
* Replace burned-out bulbs in or near stairways.
* Replace faulty wiring immediately.
* Install smoke alarms and check the batteries twice a year.
* Secure your home with quality door and window locks.
* Trim shrubs and trees close to the house
* Avoid an unoccupied look when you go away on vacation. Leave a light or radio on, using an automatic timing device if possible.
* Stop deliveries of mail and newspapers.
* Have a trusted neighbor or the police check your home. Contact your local police department about a “vacation house check” service.

Feel free to forward this information on to anyone you know who could benefit from this information.

New Homes Sales Increased 2.6% in March

Here is an article from Real Trends, Inc., a online real estate news journal. Read what they have to say about the current market.

"Purchases of new homes in the U.S. rose for the first time in three months in March as unusually warm weather and sales incentives brought out more buyers. Purchases rose 2.6 percent to an annual pace of 858,000 last month from the 836,000 rate in February that was lower than previously reported, the Commerce Department said this week. Sales of new homes were off 23.5 percent compared with March 2006.

The median price of a new home rose 6.4 percent last month to $254,000 from $238,800 a year earlier, the report showed.

The increase in sales in March came in two regions that saw much improved weather in March compared with February. Sales fell in the other two regions. Sales jumped 50 percent in the Northeast after falling 21 percent in February. Sales rose 9.8 percent in the Midwest in March after falling 23 percent in February. In the West, sales fell 0.9 percent in March. Sales dropped 2.7 percent in the South, the seventh consecutive decline in the biggest region for new home sales.

The number of homes for sale at the end of the month rose to 545,000 from 544,000 in February. That left the supply of homes at the current sales rate at 7.8 months' worth, compared with 8.1 months in February, which was the highest in 16 years. The inventory is down 1.4 percent compared with a year earlier, the biggest year-over-year decline ever recorded.

Completed homes for sale were 33 percent of the inventory, while units still under construction represented 50 percent of the inventory and units for sale that were permitted but not yet started represented almost 17 percent of the inventory level. The median length of time that completed homes were on the market was 5.6 months in March, up from 5.2 months in February."

Courtesy Real Trends, Inc.

When to Refinance

I hope your home is everything you wished for and that you are enjoying your environment. If you've have been in your home for a while, you might want information on refinancing options for down the road.

You may want to consider refinancing at some point for a variety of reasons. The two most common reasons people refinance are to:

* Lower their mortgage payment
* Access the equity in their home for cash

If you are interested in lowering your payment, experts recommend refinancing when you can lower your interest rate by 2%. The other way to lower your payment significantly is by switching from a 15-year loan to a 30-year loan.

On the other hand, refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year loan won't lower your monthly payment, but it can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

New Website Launched!

I have recently launched a new website that includes even more information on home buying and selling. The name of the website is The Hennepin Homes. You will be able to get information on all the homes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metrowide area. There is also even more information on the home buying and/or selling process. Check it out at www.TheHennepinHomes.com or click here.

Time is Money

Are you thinking of making some home improvements?

With large home improvement centers offering “do it yourself” classes on home repair and maintenance, homeowners are tackling big home improvement projects more and more.

Here are a few helpful tips to consider when deciding whether to take on home projects yourself or hire an expert for the task:

* Compare your own hourly wage to what you would pay per hour to have the job done.
* Consider how much longer it would take you to get the job done compared to an expert.
* Take into consideration the value of the time you would spend on the project. (Could that time be spent with family or on hobbies?)
* Determine whether you have the necessary equipment, or if you would need to rent tools for the project.
* Always think of the cost/benefit ratio when you plan a home improvement project.

If you would like more information on what improvements have the greatest rate of return, please feel free to contact me.

I hope you find these tips helpful.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Have you checked the batteries in your smoke detector recently? Fire experts say that almost all fire-related deaths can be avoided by having a working smoke detector. A good rule of thumb is to change your batteries twice a year. Perhaps you should schedule the change for the Spring and the Fall, whenever you reset your clocks for daylight savings time.

That way your smoke detector will always run like clockwork! And your family will always be protected.

So remember to check your batteries.

Shopping for the Best Mortgage

Mortgage rates are on the rise, but historically speaking they are still fairly low. As a result of the favorable mortgage market, lenders have produced several new creative financing options for purchasing or refinancing. Don't let the confusion of mortgage options keep you from a new home or lower interest rate. Here is an introductory lesson to the four most common types of home loans.

Fixed-rate Mortgages
Fixed-rate mortgages have a fixed interest rate over the lifetime of the loan, usually between 10 and 30 years (40-year fixed-rate mortgages are also slowly increasing in popularity). This means that the amount you pay each month is fixed, too. It's a great mortgage choice if you want the reassurance of predictable loan expenses for the life of your mortgage.

Adjustable-rate Mortgages
This type of mortgage usually starts out with a lower interest rate (and therefore lower payments) than with a fixed-rate loan. However, your interest rate and monthly payments are dependent on market interest rates. The interest rate is usually adjusted annually, but depending on your loan package the adjustment period on your ARM may be as low as one month.

Increases in the interest rate are capped for each year, and for the lifetime of the loan. For example, an ARM interest rate might have an annual cap of 1.5% and a cap over the lifetime of the loan of 6%.

Adjustable-rate mortgages are a good option if you're planning to own the property for only a few years, or if you expect your income to increase over the years so you can comfortably afford higher payments if interest rates should rise.

Balloon Mortgages
Balloon mortgages typically have a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages (and hence may be easier to qualify for), however the loan is payable in full after five to seven years.
A balloon mortgage is a great option if you know you'll be selling the property before the balloon payment is due, and you're not comfortable with an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Jumbo Mortgages
A jumbo mortgage is simply one which is larger than a typical mortgage. The 2006 limit for a traditional (or conforming) loan is $417,000, and any amount over this figure is considered a jumbo (or non-conforming) mortgage. This type of mortgage usually has a higher interest rate than a conforming loan.

Getting Mortgage Quotes
To get the best possible rates, aim to contact a dozen lenders or more. Keep all your inquiries to within a 14-day period to prevent your credit score (also known as a FICO score) from being negatively impacted by too many credit inquiries. Most inquiries that take place within a 14-day stretch of time are counted as one inquiry.

It's wise to shop for a mortgage before you start house-hunting. Mortgage pre-approval is one of the best bargaining tools you can have when it comes to negotiating a sales price. Plus, it'll save you valuable time at closing.

Luxury Home Trends

One of the best ways to update your home and ensure a good resale value is to adopt trends from the luxury home market. These cutting edge trends eventually find their way into the new construction market and become mainstream styles. While most households can't afford in-home elevators or a custom wine cellar, here are a few of the affordable latest luxury home must-haves that are well on their way to new homes across the nation.

In the Kitchen
Warming drawer — Better than the warm setting in your oven, warming drawers keep foods hot and moist until guests arrive or the rest of the meal is ready.
Refrigerating oven — Program it to refrigerate during the day then log on remotely to start the cooking and have your meal ready when you get home.
Multi-level islands — A raised portion of a kitchen island adds dimension, a comfortable eating surface and, if placed strategically, can mask the clutter around a sink or stovetop area.
Three-door refrigerator — Two French doors on the top and a large one-drawer freezer on the bottom make for easier access to the items you use most.
Food prep sink — An extra sink doesn't need to take up a lot of precious counter space but in a large kitchen it can improve the work flow and even encourage others to participate in the food preparation.

In the Bath
Vertical spas — One of the hottest trends in today's baths, these incorporate multiple showerheads, water diverters and sophisticated temperature control systems into your shower.
Heated tile floors — Add to the spa feeling with cozy radiant heat under tile flooring. If you're considering new flooring, this is easy to install and a big selling point.
Towel warming drawers — This luxury trend started in the kitchen and is taking electric towel bars to a new level by warming up your robe and slippers.
Stone countertops — Granite, marble and soapstone come in natural colors that complement most bathroom cabinets. They're also easier to keep clean compared to traditional tile.

In the Master Suite
Fireplace — Gas fireplaces are quickly becoming fixtures in luxury homes. Builders are maximizing their effect by constructing them into a wall adjacent to the master bathroom so they can be seen from both sides.
Walk-in closets — Walk-ins are almost required in new homes today, but the luxury market has taken them to a whole new level with the addition of extravagant cabinetry and center islands with storage drawers.

Outside
Outdoor kitchens — More and more homeowners are taking their cooking and entertaining out back with the addition of fully functional kitchens that include grills, custom cabinets and worktops, and even wood-fired ovens.
Heated patios — An emerging trend in cooler climates, radiant-heated patios and driveways melt snow and ice and keep walkways safe.

Whether you are thinking of selling soon, or simply want to enjoy the benefit of upgrading your home while you're still living there, these affordable luxury trends are certain to hold their appeal for years to come.