Posted by ramseyrealtors | Filed under Featured Listing, for sale by owner, Home buyers, homes for sale, selling real estate, Uncategorized
From our house to yours – Happy Holidays!
24 Saturday Dec 2016
24 Saturday Dec 2016
Posted by ramseyrealtors | Filed under Featured Listing, for sale by owner, Home buyers, homes for sale, selling real estate, Uncategorized
14 Wednesday Dec 2016
The cold has officially arrived. Heating and cooling costs are one of the most expensive utilities in every home. No matter where you live, the conservation of energy to reduce costs is becoming more and more important for sustainability and your wallet. Here are 7 ways homeowners can reduce energy expenses, especially during the winter months.
1: Adjust thermostat Controls. This is one of the easiest ways to help control wasteful energy expenses. Recommended heating settings during the winter is 68° F during the day. Energy.gov reports that you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by simply turning your thermostat back to 7 – 10° for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. Programmable thermostats can make this easy!
2: Crawl Space Protection. Maintaining the insulation below the flooring and around pipes and plumbing within unconditioned crawl spaces exposed to the exterior reduces the potential for freezing pipes and cold spots within the home. Large amounts of moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation, generate air quality issues within the home and promote structural damage; therefore, controlling moisture by installation of a vapor barrier over the ground and having good ventilation is also essential.
3: Replace or Supplement Old Attic Insulation. Insulation in your attic is your best line of defense for keeping cold and warm air from escaping or intruding your home. Replacing or supplementing insulation can see significant improvements in the energy performance of a home, reduce the impact on your HVAC systems and add value.
4: Sealing Air Leaks. Air leaks are probably the #1 cause for energy loss in a home. The sealing of air leaks around windows, doors, wall penetrations, cracks and roofs help to prevent cold air from creating drafts or cold spots in your home during the winter months. Remember to only use sealants and weather stripping that are compatible with your home materials.
5: Lighting. Energy from lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Replacing light bulbs in your home with more energy-efficient bulbs, such as energy-saving incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes is not very expensive.
6: Window Repairs or Replacement. Many windows on the market are now designed to be energy efficient to help reduce thermal bridging between the interior and exterior air.
7: HVAC Equipment. To optimize performance of your home’s HVAC system, regular inspections, cleaning and filter replacement is suggested.
07 Wednesday Dec 2016
2017 promises to be an interesting year in real estate. Facing the Millennial Effect, interest rate questions and economic changes, it’s important for REALTORS® to devote time investigating both their state and local real estate trends as well as the national factors determining 2017. Below are four promising trends that will shape the market this upcoming year.
Millennials rising from the basements
As millennials get older, they are increasing home ownership rates faster than in previous years, according to research from Fannie Mae. Millennials have overtaken baby boomers as the largest generation in the U.S. and many of them entered their post-college years during one of the toughest economic periods in decades. For years we have heard the joke about the number of them living at home with their parents. For a while this was true, but the economy has improved now and with jobs seemingly more abundant, millennials are coming to the real estate market.
First-time buyers are a driving force for a healthy real estate market and millennials are starting to buy homes. They are starting to age into a group primed for home ownership and many of them are in better positions financially because of years of saving and living in “the basement.” This influx of new buyers and increased demand is likely to lead to a strong 2017 market as they seek to take advantage of low interest rates.
Interest rates rise
Will rates go up? This question will push many people into the buying decision. The reality is, this has been the same question at the end of each of the last three years, but eventually they have to go up…right? Not necessarily. In fact, we may experience low rates for many years to come. They may rise, but the rise is likely to be gradual overall to keep the economy from hitting another recession. The fear of high rates will continue to create a sense of urgency as many people look for a better option. The low rates mean it is still cheaper to buy than rent in many large real estate markets.
To move or remodel, that is the question
With so many homeowners locked in at extremely low interest rates many are choosing to remodel their existing homes instead of move. That has also meant a lower supply of homes available for first-time buyers. The question many people are facing is whether or not they should spend the money remodeling, or take advantage of their increased equity and buy their long-term dream home. Space and location are typically the deciding factors when considering a move. The biggest increase in prices has primarily taken place in “starter homes” or homes more easily financed for first-time or middle income buyers. Higher priced homes and luxury homes in many parts of the country have not experienced as large an increase in prices. This gives many homeowners the increased financial leverage to purchase their dream home with a larger down payment, low rates and a payment they are comfortable with.
“But I don’t want to be homeless”
The tight supply of homes in many hot markets is making the stress of buying and selling higher than normal. The limited number of homes and a competitive environment means that many homeowners are afraid to sell for fear of having no home to buy. Many sellers are looking for non-contingent offers, meaning the buyers do not have a home to sell. Even if their home is under contract they might get passed over for a buyer without a home to sell. This increased pressure makes many potential home sellers decide to stay put. This gap will likely keep inventories low and continue to push prices higher.
There are so many factors—nationally and locally—that can affect the real estate market. Considering all factors for your real estate market and larger trends will help you make the best informed decision.
RISMedia’s Housecall by Matt Metcalf
30 Wednesday Nov 2016
Many homeowners find the holidays to be a difficult time of year. To ensure that your holidays are as enjoyable as possible, be sure to get your home ready to face this festive season. Here are a few tips to prepare your home for the holiday hustle:
Create a Master To-Do List
Set aside an evening before the start of the holiday season to create a master to-do list. Next, set deadlines for each task to ensure everything is finished before guests arrive.
De-Clutter and Clean
Remove as much clutter as you can before you pull out your holiday décor. After your clutter is safely stowed, create your holiday cleaning regimen. Bring your draperies to the cleaners and have a cleaning pro help with window washing. You can also have your carpets professionally cleaned to enhance your home’s ambiance. A thorough cleaning of your house is a wonderful way to begin the winter season.
Easy Fix-It Projects
From fixing running toilets to tightening loose handrails, addressing small household projects can enhance your holiday season. Hiring a handyman is the easiest way to handle multiple small household repairs at once, and give you time to tackle other home organizing projects.
Holiday Kitchen
An organized kitchen is key in successfully hosting holiday celebrations. Part of an organized kitchen means having all of your holiday cooking items at the ready. Check to ensure that items like pans, meat thermometers, baking trays and carving knives are easy to access.
Line Up a Catering Service
Have your holiday parties and gatherings catered if you’re not a fan of cooking. From deli trays to full-blown holiday feasts, you can relax while someone else does the cooking for you. Additionally, having more free time will allow you to focus on special touches or the things you love to spend time on like trimming your holiday tree.
Wrap Station
When the majority of your gifts are wrapped ahead of time, you can reduce some of that holiday stress that sneaks up when you have last-minute things to do. To make the process more efficient, you can create a wrap station that includes all of your rolls of wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, tape, scissors and gift tags. When these items are all in one place, you will have an easier time wrapping presents.
Hire a Decorating Stylist
If you’re too busy to decorate this holiday season or simply want a fresh eye to approach your décor, consider hiring a holiday decorator to tackle your indoor décor and a contractor to manage outdoor décor concerns like light hanging and wreath-hanging. A professional designer and contractor may become booked up quickly, so be sure to reserve their time as soon as possible.
When your home is organized and you have a detailed holiday plan, you are poised to enjoy a less-stressed holiday season. These tips may require some advance work, but they’re designed to make your holidays flow smoothly so that you and your family can enjoy them to the fullest.
By Andrea Davis RISMedia
23 Wednesday Nov 2016
Posted by ramseyrealtors | Filed under Featured Listing, for sale by owner, Home buyers, homes for sale, selling real estate, Uncategorized
16 Wednesday Nov 2016
31 Monday Oct 2016
Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore
Scary witches at your door
Jack-O-Lanterns shining bright
wishing you a haunting night!
Be Safe and have fun!
The Ramsey Team
26 Wednesday Oct 2016
The crisp fall weather has finally arrived in the Triangle. This long-awaited break from the hot summer heat and humidity is marked by pumpkin spice flavored goodies, college football, and brilliantly colored foliage that will soon fall to the ground and hinder your curb appeal.
Yes, sellers, you can make a great first impression no matter the season. Now is the time to overseed lawns, prep perennials, and bring out the mums.
Here are some other curb appeal tips to consider during the cool-weather months:
Bring out the rake
It’s only a matter of time until our beautiful Triangle trees drop their leaves on your newly seeded lawn. Make sure to rake or blow away leaves as they fall to avoid damage to your grass. A thick layer of leaves can smother grass and promote mold and fungal diseases.
De-clutter the gutter
A gutter full of twigs and leaves needs to be cleaned. Fall is a great time to take on this task to ensure your gutters are functioning properly and carrying water away from your home. Not to mention, that neat gutters will also enhance your home’s appearance.
Keep on cutting
Yes, you still need to mow in the fall. Keep cutting your grass as needed and consider mulching instead of bagging the clippings and leaves you mow over. The mulch you leave behind will help to enrich the soil in the coming months.
Put plants in now
Want to spruce up your yard with new shrubs? Don’t wait until spring, do it now. According to This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook, “planting shrubs in early fall gives the plants a head start at establishing roots in the season’s cool, moist soil.” Give that greenery time to grow for an even better spring landscape.
Bring on the bulbs
Fall is also a good time to plant spring bulbs. Put in tulips and daffodils now for colorful accents when the warmer weather returns.
12 Wednesday Oct 2016
Imagine stepping into a bathtub, and instead of bathroom tiles lining the wall next to you, there’s a fresh vertical garden, lush with bright green ferns, lavender, baby’s tears, mint, and other fragrant plants.
Unusual ways to display indoor plants run the gamut, from built-in shelves and containers in and along walls, countertops, or tables, to wall pockets and terrariums.
A cost-effective indoor-garden can be made of various materials – including ceramic, glass, plastic, wood, metal, and even macramé – that can hang directly on a wall and be filled with plants. They can run about $20 to $100 each.
Easy-to-care-for indoor plants include snake plants – also known as sansevierias – with long, pointy green leaves that reach upward; dark green, cast iron plants; wall-crawling ivy; dangling spider plants; succulents, and foxtail ferns. Snake plants and cast iron plants require little light and watering. Bonsai trees, bay laurel trees, and small fig trees can also be displayed indoors in both planters and partitioned floor areas padded with soil and rocks.
Those living in smaller homes can get creative and try vertical gardening, recessed wall niches, or floating or half walls with plants set on top. Miniature gardens, from terrariums to fairy gardens, are also a great option for both space-conscious adults and fun-loving kids.
Kokedama, a Japanese plant art that means “moss ball” in English, involves forming a moss-covered ball of soil around the roots of a plant and wrapping it with twine. Suspending these moss balls as hanging plants is also a trend.
Whatever your decorating style, plants offer a unique way to decorate while helping your home feel inviting and relaxed. In the market for a new home? Contact me today to learn how I can help you with your mortgage or refinance needs.
05 Wednesday Oct 2016
Did you know that 78% of parents of children ages 9 – 12 who said they felt confident that their child would know to leave the house Also, change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon in the event of a fire according to a July report from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. To keep you and your family safe, follow the National Fire Protection Associations’s recommendation and install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and outside all sleeping areas. In addition, check the date of manufacture on the back of your smoke detectors and be sure to replace it if it is over 10 years old.