JUNE 14, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 24
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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• AREA DEVELOPMENT • FARM • COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE 317 5th Street, Ames State of Iowa 515-233-3299 • ® licensed in the
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DEAR MONTY Important considerations with pest fumigation
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
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eader question: I own property in Florida, where termites are a big part of the pest population. I will be selling the five-unit building soon, and four units are rented currently. Two of the four units
have leases expiring in July. The property has to be tented to exterminate the little buggers. When they fumigate, the building must be empty. Do I have to pay for these four tenants who have pets to stay somewhere? Do I make the reservations for them or do they? How do I control the costs for it? Do I have to send them a letter in regards to this? How does it work? Monty’s answer: The answer will assume that your leases do not contain any pest abatement
language. Otherwise, your contract documents would provide much of the information you seek. Amending your leases to include a pest abatement clause may improve the property’s marketability. Be certain the lease contains language that conforms with all the state and local building and health laws. Because each state’s laws are different, consulting an attorney practicing in your state is the practical solution to implement the additional lease clause. According to the website Sciencing.com, the
discovery of termites has occurred in every state except Alaska. Because you have no pest clause in your lease, you have to create a plan based on timing, legal requirements, tenants circumstances, the cost to implement fumigation, and more. Here are four things to consider: 1. Coordinate the fumigation when the fewest tenants occupy the building. 2. Negotiate a daily room rate allowance. 3. It may be possible to sell the building with the termite infestation, and
let the buyer deal with it. Offer the building at fair market value, less the cost of the fumigation, less an incentive to the purchaser for managing the work. 4. Termites can be discouraged with preventative measures such as rain gutter extensions to move water away from the foundation, construction materials that termites do not eat, decorative stone landscaping and other measures. Send Richard Montgomery questions at DearMonty.com.
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 14, 2017
7,36 2) 7+( :((. These fixes will make your yard bee-friendly Even if you live in an urbanized area, a few changes to your landscaping can help your local bee population, according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. • Choose native plants that flower at different times, so bees have access to a constant supply of nectar throughout the growing season. • Consider planting tall grasses at the edges of your property. These plants can provide much-needed cover for honeybees. • Avoid use of chemical applications such as herbicides, pesticides and fungicides; these can weaken the health of bees.
+20( 75(1'6 Black shingles popular again After decades of neutral-colored shingles dominating entire neighborhoods, homeowners are turning to black shingles to boost curb appeal and enhance design elements. “People today want their homes to be one of a kind,” says Brian Borgard, sales territory manager for TAMKO Building Products. “They want something bold, something to differentiate their homes from their neighbors’.”
'(&/877(5,1* Keep kitchen counters clear with a defined drop-spot The kitchen counter is a common dumping ground for items from receipts to shopping bags to random school and office supplies. According to Houzz, the best way to keep the clutter from taking over is to create a designated drop-spot — such as a bowl for loose change or a tray/basket for mail — on your counter to stop clutter from sprawling.Then choose a time every week to clean out the bowl or tray. — Brandpoint
2876,'( /,9,1* Create a barefoot-friendly backyard deck Few building materials take more punishment than decking. Exposure to the elements can create hazards for warm-weather fun like splinters and burned feet. Consider the following tips from ChoiceDek Premium: • Select composite deck boards that protect against moisture intrusion all the way to the board’s core. They protect against rotting, warping and dangerous cracks and splinters. • Look for products that optimize heat reflection and minimize heat absorption. • Use composite deck boards with a textured, wood-embossed surface. They have better slip resistance than PVC and composite decking products with a non-embossed surface.
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Projects to prepare your home for sale By Brandpoint
Paint the front door First impressions count when it comes to a home sale. You want your entryway to be inviting so homebuyers want to look further. An easy way to update an entryway is to paint the door with a new color that complements your home and surroundings. Simply remove the hardware, clean the surface, prime and topcoat with the new paint color. While you’re at it, consider painting exterior accent features — such as shutters or window boxes — the same color for a cohesive look. Repair and refresh walls Painting is an easy and affordable way to freshen an entire home so that buyers take notice. However, cracks and holes in freshly painted walls can make a poor impression. For a DIY project that yields a professional result, ALEX recommends you repair walls before the first swipe of the paint brush. First try spackling for filling holes and cracks on surfaces throughout the home. Spackling is easy to apply, sands to a smooth finished surface, and creates the superior paintability needed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding area. Update kitchen and bath Do you have kitchen and bath hardware that’s decades old? If so, it may be worth
Easy DIY projects your time to replace these dated details. Adding small features such as modern cabinet hardware can visually update a room, so explore affordable options at your local home improvement store. Once you select the style you like best, just get your screwdriver and swap out the old for new. Re-caulk Exposure to water and moisture over time can cause caulk to look dirty and unsightly. Potential buyers are sure to note mold, mildew, dirt, and stains on old caulk. For a clean appearance, remove the old caulk, thoroughly clean the area to remove any dirt or residue, then re-caulk. Most caulk is safe for all surfaces, even granite and marble.
[BIGSTOCK]
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f you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for more money, CBS News recommends listing w hen the market begins to heat up in May. To accomplish these goals, it’s essential to make popular areas of the house look appealing to potential buyers. Fortunately, with a little DIY effort, you don’t have to spend money on expensive home repairs or real estate-staging services. Consider these easy DIY projects that can help ensure your home is market ready when it’s time to sell. If the property is particularly appealing, you may even start a bidding war.
Revisit lighting Proper illumination isn’t just useful, it can open up a room and highlight beautiful architectural features. All lighting should be dusted, but for those fixtures that are old, outdated, or broken, consider inexpensive replacement options. Something as simple as replacing glass globes can add high-impact style. Adding task and accent lighting is another smart investment. For example, under-cabinet lights in the kitchen are easy to install and are likely to impress potential buyers. Preparing a home for sale doesn’t have to be a daunting process. With these five projects, you’ll be well on your way to have a beautiful home ready for listing.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 14, 2017 • Page RE7
7,36 2) 7+( :((. Natural solution for cleaning floors Commercial cleaning solutions can cost more, not to mention the harsh chemicals can leave behind unpleasant odors. A simple solution of warm water and vinegar removes built-up grime from your floors, while leaving a clean, rinse-free finish. Just add a half cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and start mopping. If you dislike the smell of vinegar, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. — Brandpoint/O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System
35(3$5('1(66 string in the middle of a can of cooking oil. Light the cotton end to create a candle. It’s storm season across the United States. Be prepared and minimize costly Unplug: Unplug appliances such as TVs, stereos, damage with these simple hacks from Kohler. microwaves and computers. This will prevent damage Homemade lantern: Fill a gallon milk jug with to appliances and possible overloads to the system water. Strap your headlamp to the jug, facing when power is restored. inward, to create a “lantern.” DIY candles: Place a cotton ball or
Smart power-outage hacks for homeowners
*$5'(1 *8,'( • Water immediately after planting and keep the soil in your garden continually moist but For beautiful summer blooms, consider planting bulbs like dahlia, lilium not soggy. and gladiolus in the spring. For growing success, consider these tips and tricks from the expert growers at American Meadows: • Plant your summer flowering bulbs and tubers within the season of purchase. • Make sure planting location is well draining; otherwise, bulbs can rot.
Professional advice for spring-planted bulbs
1$785$/ &/($1,1* Use the power of the sun to help you clean Sunshine is powerful enough to kill dust mites on fabrics, and its rays, combined with a little breeze, can clear away the odors, according to the cleaning experts at howtocleanstuff.net. Set outside, rotate as needed to treat all
sides, and enjoy the fresh scent the sun-drenched airing leaves behind. You can also use the sun to remove stains and odors from food storage containers. For an extra bleaching treatment, spritz the area with lemon juice first. — Brandpoint
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