04-08-20 Real Estate Weekly

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APRIL 8, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 15

RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa

O n l i n e a t w w w. A m e s Tr i b . c o m / r e a l e s t a t e w e e k l y


Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Dishwasher SOLUTIONS When to call in a repairman By Laura Firszt More Content Now

I

s your dishwasher not starting, filling or draining? Perhaps it’s just plain leaking. In any of these cases, friends and family may tell you, “Calling a dishwasher repairman isn’t worth it; better just buy a new one.” Feel free to ignore this not-sosound advice. Dishwasher repair — not replacement — is the solution of choice for a long list of problems with this important appliance. Repair is also faster, easier on your budget and more eco-friendly. So yes, it’s definitely worth it.

Troubleshoot first 1. Dishwasher not starting. Sorry to state the obvious, but your dishwasher might not be getting a supply of electricity. Make sure that it is securely plugged into a functional outlet. Check for a tripped breaker, too, before you call in a dishwasher repairman. Another cause could be a faulty door latch. 2. Dishwasher not filling. Once again,

a broken door latch (which will send a signal that the machine is not closed) could be the problem. Other potential culprits might be a kinked fill tube or a malfunctioning float assembly or water inlet valve. 3. Dishwasher not draining. Have you recently installed a new garbage disposal? Technicians occasionally forget to remove the disposal’s knockout plug, which affects your dishwasher drainage. Read more about this and other drainage problems here. 4. Dishwasher leaking. Look for wear and tear on the door gasket and hoses. Check for faulty seals. Make sure the dishwasher’s not overfilling due to a float or float switch problem. The most serious case? A cracked interior, making appliance repair impossible. Time to find a dishwasher installer for a new machine. 5. Dishwasher not getting dishes clean.

When dishes are still crusty or gritty after dishwashing, try clearing the filter. After that, wipe the inside of the appliance well; then run a cleaning cycle

without dishes, adding a dishwasher cleaner. A whitish film, especially noticeable on glasses, is likely due to hard water. Try a special hard water detergent; if that doesn’t take care of the problem, use a dish detergent booster.

6. Dishwasher running longer than usual. Make sure you know how long the

normal cycle for your model should be (1 ½ to 4 hours, according to Whirlpool). Check that you have selected the correct cycle. Make sure water going into the machine will be hot enough. Have a professional set your water heater to 120 degrees minimum; then run the hot water in your sink right before starting every dishwasher load. 7. Dishwasher tablet not dissolving. The problem could be water that is too cool.

8. Dishwasher racks not rolling smoothly. The rollers or wheels may need

realignment. If the racks themselves are damaged, you can often order replacements by contacting the manufacturer’s customer service.

Dishwasher repair FAQs Q. Repair or replace?

A. Do the math: If the machine is over 7 years old and appliance repair service will cost more than half the original purchase price, you’re better off buying a new energy-efficient unit. Otherwise,

hiring a dishwasher repairman is worth it, as long as the necessary parts are readily available. Another consideration: Speed. Repair technicians often provide same-day service. Q. How long does a dishwasher last?

A. The average service life for this appliance is about 9-10 years, depending on how often you use it and how careful you are about maintenance.

Q. Who do I hire for dishwasher repair?

A. Find a trained appliance repairman for dishwasher troubles. Good appliance technicians will have the necessary supplies in their truck and in most cases, will cost you less than a plumber service.

Dishwasher repair or replacement cost Cost of dishwasher repair service: Typical service call costs $100-$200. Cost per hour to hire a repairman for your dishwasher: Averages $70 per hour. Cost to buy a new dishwasher: $400-$700. Cost to install a dishwasher: $200-$500.

Cost to run an Energy Star certified dishwasher: $35 per year.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.


REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 8, 2020 • Page RE3


Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020

HOME HELP GARDENING

HOMEBUYING

HOW IT WORKS

TIPS FOR WATERING A FRESHLY SEEDED LAWN

CURRENT MORTGAGE RATES AT HISTORIC LOWS

PUTTING OUT A GREASE FIRE

In order for the grass seed to germinate, freshly seeded lawns should be kept moist by light, frequent watering. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings are about 1 inch tall. Don’t saturate the soil or the seeds may rot or wash away. Here are more tips from Lowes.com:

Bond yields have fallen and mortgage rates are at historic lows, which could help first-time homebuyers and those looking to refinance, according to USA TODAY. Banks will charge lower interest rates for mortgages when Treasury yields fall.

• Water early in the morning: Take advantage of the lack of wind to minimize evaporation and the chance for fungal diseases. Don’t water with sprinklers on windy days.

“The Fed’s key short-term rate affects 30-year mortgages and other long-term rates indirectly. The average fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage rose to 3.36% last week, up slightly from an all-time low of 3.29% the prior week, according to Freddie Mac. That’s almost a full percentage point lower than 4.31% a year ago.”

• Water your lawn irregularly: Not watering your lawn on a strict weekly schedule better replicates natural weather patterns and will help it become more drought-tolerant. • Water your soil deeply and allow to dry slightly between waterings: This will help promote root growth, which creates hardier turfgrass, according to Lowes.com. Light, shallow sprinklings evaporate before water can saturate the soil where it’s needed.

“This is the time to refinance,” says Julia Carlson, founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group.

If you encounter a grease fire while cooking on the stovetop, follow these simple steps to safely put it out. 1. Do not put water on the fire. 2. Turn off the stovetop immediately and don’t attempt to move the pot or pan. 3. Dump a lot of baking soda and salt onto the fire. 4. If the baking soda and salt don’t put out the fire, use a class K fire extinguisher (the only fire extinguisher that doesn’t contain water and can put out grease fires). Pull the pin, aim the nozzle, squeeze the lever and sweep the flames. 5. Try to smother the fire by depriving it of oxygen. Cover the fire with another pan, lid or cookie sheet. 6. If all else fails, call 911 and leave the house. More Content Now

Don’t see your home in the

RE WEEKLY

Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.

DIRECT MAIL + ONLINE

AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly


REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020 • Page RE5

DEAR MONTY

Is a renovation mortgage right for you?

RICHARD MONTGOMERY

R

eader question: We are looking to buy our first home. We have seen a house we like, but it needs much work. The house has been neglected but has a solid structure. We have a down payment and good credit. Twenty-percent down at our price point, but not enough cash to make the

down payment and do all the repairs at the same time. A friend suggested we get a low-interest rate credit card with a high limit and use it as a line of credit. What do you think? Monty’s answer: Shopping for the loan that best suits your situation and your housing goals takes effort. One task is assembling the documents required by a lender. Then the big job is researching all the alternative sources of funding and interviewing the loan officers, also known as originators. From your description of the house and your finances, you will have several choices. It depends on your income, any debt you or your co-borrower have, any military service, your chances of continued employment and promotion, and more. Here is helpful information.

The lender pool While there are other options (a credit card may be one), the most logical choice may be a renovation mortgage loan. You borrow enough to buy the house “as is” and, at the same time, include additional funds to make the improvements. The institutions below that guarantee these loans have different guidelines. You would seek originators that offer these different renovation loans. You may qualify for a mortgage from one or two of this type of loan, but not all three. Put the information that you assembled in a PDF file you can email when you want to send it to an interested lender. Be aware not all lenders offer these products for a variety of reasons. As

an example, these loans are more work for the lender. Renovation mortgage — This type of loan features an “as is” and “ascompleted “appraisal. Funds are escrowed for the future work and paid out on completion of the work after closing. Here are three products that function in this manner: 1. Fannie Mae Homestyle loan 2. USDA rural housing loan 3. HUD 203k loan Richard Montgomery is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform. Find him at DearMonty.com.


Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Don’t see your home in the

RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale. STORY TY COUN

PMENT ERCIAL • AREA DEVELO GE • FARM • COMM RESIDENTIAL • ACREA Street, Ames 99 • 317 5th ® licensed in the State of Iowa 515-233-32 are REALTORS ® within All REALTOR ads

JANUARY 11, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 2

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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020 • Page RE7


Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers? Advertise in the RE Weekly. In print and online.

Call Ali Eernisse 515-663-6956

RE WEEKLY


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