APRIL 24, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 17
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
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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 24, 2019
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2019 Marketing Plan
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 24, 2019 • Page RE3
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
Tankless A water heaters PROS AND CONS
Tankless water heaters (aka “on-demand”) warm up water only when you need it. Water is heated quickly as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. [william allen/flickr]
re you thinking of installing a new hot water heater? Tankless water heaters supply continuous hot water on demand, while consuming less energy than conventional tank heaters. But are the higher price point and complex installation process of tankless water heaters worth it? Gary McCoy, Lowe’s store manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, shares expert tips to help you make the best choice.
What are tankless water heaters? • Tankless water heaters (aka “ondemand”) warm up water only when you need it. Water is heated quickly as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. A thermostat allows you to adjust water temperature to your liking. • Water heating capacity is measured in terms of GPM (gallons per minute). Most models offer 3.5 GPM, more than enough for the average shower, which requires 2.5 GPM of hot water. • Tankless water heaters eliminate the traditional hot water storage tank, together with the costly factor of storing 40-50 gallons of hot water at a steady heat. • Instead of the familiar bulky 5-foottall cylinder, tankless water heaters come in the form of a compact rectangle, usually about 2 feet by 1 foot, though some are as small as 7 inches x 10 inches. • Tankless hot water heaters are typically installed in a closet, in the basement, or on an exterior wall, and can be retrofitted or used in new home construction. • There are three kinds of tankless water heaters: Electric, for whole-home and point-ofuse applications Natural gas, which ranges in BTU inputs to deliver a continuous flow of hot water to your home Propane, available for both indoor and outdoor applications
Pros: Why consider buying a tankless water heater Energy efficiency. Tankless water heaters consume less energy because they do not need to store heated water. This energy savings will, in turn, reduce your
fuel bills. Endless hot water. When you need a continuous supply of hot water to fill a deep, luxurious spa tub or to allow for several consecutive showers, a tankless water heater delivers. Consistent water temperature. Inconsistent water temperature has been a homeowner complaint in the past. However, nowadays if the hot water demand in your home exceeds working capacity, most tankless heaters, like the Advanced Flow Control, will automatically maintain consistent temperatures by slightly reducing water flow. Flexibility. You can install a separate tankless heater for each point of use in your home - for example, one for the kids’ shower and another one for the kitchen sink. Longer service life. Tankless hot water heaters normally last up to 20 years, or approximately twice as long as standard tank-style units. Compact profile. When you live in a small house or a condo, you will especially appreciate the space-saving, compact size of tankless water heaters.
Cons: When to stick with a traditional water heater Higher initial costs. If you’re on a tight budget, a tankless option might not be for you, because the initial costs are more expensive than with a traditional tank water heater. The purchase price runs $300-$400 higher than conventional units and you will need to hire a reliable contractor to install the heater. Pro tip: Homeowners report that through the energy savings, the appliance pays for itself after a few years.
Gas line or electrical wiring configuration. It might be necessary to have
your gas line rerouted or your electrical wiring reconfigured to accommodate a tankless water heater. This will raise the initial expense still further. Limited hot water volume. The 3.5 gallons of heated water per minute provided by most tankless water heaters might be insufficient if your home demand frequently calls for hot water at more than one or two points at a time. While larger units are available, they are more expensive. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 24, 2019
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, April 24, 2019 • Page RE5
TIPS OF THE WEEK ORGANIZATION
HOME DECOR
LIGHTING
DECLUTTER OPEN SHELVING
MAKE FAKE PLANTS LOOK REAL
According to the experts at Houzz, displaying every adornment you own on open shelves can leave you with a distracting mishmash. Use a Marie-Kondo inspired motto to create focus as you sort items. First, empty your shelves and create “beautiful” “interesting” or “out” piles. You don’t necessarily have to throw treasured items away, just curate them like a museum and only show a few at a time, and rotate them out seasonally.
First, it might be worth splurging on artificial plants made of high-quality materials, as they don’t show wear and tear, which can be a dead giveaway that a plant is fake, says Better Homes and Gardens. Placement is also key. Don’t put the artificial equivalent of a sunloving plant in a dark corner or a sun-sensitive one in a bright window. Keep artificial plants clean and dust regularly but don’t buff it to a shine — that can draw attention to artificial material.
GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A LUXE LOOK René Dekker, a luxury interior designer, told Realtor.com that lighting is key to creating an expensive-feeling kitchen and recommends having at least two different sets of dimmable lights. One should be an ambient set to go under the cupboards or kickboards, while the other is bright overhead lights that illuminate the cooking area. — More Content Now
DEAR MONTY
Can a seller contact a prospective buyer directly?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: Is it OK to reach out to the prospective buyer and see if they have any questions about my house? They came and looked and appeared interested. My real estate agent will not communicate with us, so we do not know the status.
Monty’s answer: It is all right if you reach out should you so choose. There are pros and cons to taking that step that you need to be aware of before going ahead. When most people buy and sell homes, it is an event that rarely occurs in their lifetime. Some look forward to the new adventure; others dread it. It is not easy to gauge their comfort zone. I have heard the experience described as people not being in their right minds when they buy or sell real estate.
The pros and cons of direct buyer contact The pros are you may learn how they feel about your home. You may also gain a feeling about their personalities and their family. You are reaching out because you want to know if they are
interested. The cons are that they may take your action as a sign you are anxious to sell. This feeling may lead them to make a lower offer. You may say something in a conversation with them that later comes back to haunt you. For example, they could construe any seemingly innocuous statement as a promise, a warranty, or a statement of fact when it is your opinion. Those words may come back with an offer, at the closing, or even months after the transaction closes.
A bigger problem It is unclear why your agent is not responding to you, but it is not normal. You should not feel the need to call the prospect because that is your agent’s job. It is unclear if the candidate came
with your agent or a different agent, or how much time has passed, but the protocol is the agent that showed your home reports to your listing agent who in turn reports to you. Your agent should recognize your right to be kept informed and make the time to place a call, text, or an email, even if the message is that they have not yet heard back from the agent. A call to your agent’s broker may be considered a more productive option. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Follow him on Twitter at @ dearmonty.
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