JUNE 19, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 25
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, June 19, 2019
Concrete projects to DIY
jobsite? - When the slab project exceeds a small sidewalk or shed base, go with a concrete professional.
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
T
o savvy homeowners, DIY concrete projects can seem very appealing. And yes, the idea of saving money and tackling a major home improvement is definitely cool. But slow down ... concrete is tricky to work with and requires equipment beyond your household toolkit. Learn which concrete projects to handle alone, and which to leave for the pros. Popular concrete projects
Repair - Repair minor problems yourself, like loose guardrails or chips in driveways and steps. - Find a contractor if you need correction of the problem’s source in addition to concrete repair, as when water is damaging a foundation. And to fix sagging posts or load-bearing walls, professionals can push up the structure with a jacking system. Slab - Slab installation is one of the most common residential concrete projects. Decide whether to DIY based on slab size. Concrete isn’t an easy-to-maneuver substance. A 10-foot, by 10-foot slab 4-inches thick takes 60 bags of 80-pound concrete mix, nearly 1.5 pallets. How will you get that home and then to the actual
Fence posts - This lends itself well to do-it-yourself. The concrete is underground, avoiding esthetic concerns. Most mixes have clear directions for blending in the correct amount of water. - For a small decorative fence, go ahead and DIY, but when setting fence posts around 10 acres, hire a pro. Deck or balcony posts - Check local code and frostlines, which dictate how to dig. Use pre-made forms to simplify this project if you’re talking 3, 4, or 5 posts. - Call in a concrete contractor? Depends on the number of posts and how deep you’re digging. Stenciling - Practice before stenciling your driveway or patio; try several little sections till you’re happy with the effect. - Don’t exceed your DIY comfort level. Choose a concrete specialist for large-scale stenciling. Block wall - Trowel surface bonding on top and both sides, like icing a cake. The fiber-reinforced bonding protects against cracks, while covering the wall completely makes it stronger than using mortared joints. Surface bonding can be colored, and finished with masonry brushes or brooms when almost dry. - To decide whether you’ll need a pro, consider size, scale, and permit requirements. Stone veneer mortaring - Trendy stone, brick, or porcelain veneer, cut thin, produces a textured surface which beautifies backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, retaining walls, and more.
Apply stone veneer mortar to the material’s back as easily as buttering bread, position the veneer, and hold steady 5-10 seconds. Polymer-modified, this mortar sticks well to concrete, stucco, or lath. - Hiring a mason is recommended for large, intricate projects and for drywall. Advantages of DIY - Cost savings - Feeling of accomplishment - Your own timetable Advantages of hiring a pro - Concrete mixes are pro-oriented, in strength, weight, and performance - Full range of equipment - trowels, joiners, mixers, Bobcats, and other machinery - Contractors can visualize out-of-the-box solutions - Experienced pros think two turns around the corner, not just what’s right in front of them, asking “Where will the water go?”, “How can I install electricity?”, etc. Good beginner concrete projects Think FLAT, nothing horizontal. A small pad or sidewalk is a good newbie project: simply excavate the ground, form it up, install a gravel base, and pour concrete. This will give you a feel for concrete drying speed, set time, and surface finishing. Tips for successful concrete projects - No. 1 for every construction project, DIY or pro: a sound foundation. Ensure water flows away from the foundation, or install plenty of gravel for water to move through. Otherwise the concrete will eventually break down. - Don’t rush to start. Plan carefully, assembling all tools and forms beforehand. Once your concrete’s mixed with water, the clock is ticking. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 19, 2019 • Page RE3
TIPS OF THE WEEK GARDENING
POOLS
MAINTENANCE
VEGGIES TO PLANT IN JUNE
TIPS FOR KIDS’ SAFETY
BIRD NESTS CAN BE TROUBLE
Urban Farmer recommends beans, corn, cucumbers and summer squash for a June planting in USDA zones 3-8, which cover most of the continental US. Beans can be planted directly in the ground from seeds, as they are fast-growing in warm soil, and most varieties will give you a crop in as little as 35 days. Corn, cucumbers and summer squash can be grown from transplants found at your local nursery or gardening center. Just be sure to give whatever you grow plenty of water as the summer heats up.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are several ways to stay safe around backyard pools this summer:
Not only are bird nests messy, but droppings, debris and dead birds can spread disease if handled by pets and small children. Realtor. com says to try nest-proofing your home by installing dryer-vent screens or chimney caps, or using sheet metal to seal openings in siding where birds tend to build nests.
• Never leave a child unattended in or near water. • Teach children how to swim. • Ensure all pools and spas — both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit — have compliant drain covers. • Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa. • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.
— More Content Now
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 19, 2019
DEAR MONTY
Tips for a potential real estate investor
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: I am a young person who inherited money. I’ve been looking at different career options, and I have decided to invest in real estate, but I have little knowledge about it. Where do I find people with money who are looking for attractive real estate deals with a partner?
Monty’s answer: Real estate is a high-risk investment for individuals like yourself. While your thought on the surface is logical, there are many people already in real estate who are looking for someone like you as well. They would love to unload one of their sour investments on you. While honest people in real estate far outnumber the unscrupulous players, when large sums of money are involved, the temptation to cheat is too much for some to resist.
A career Consider obtaining a real estate license. Learning how real estate works from the inside is far different from any textbook, but textbooks are essential because you can cover subjects that are not part of your real estate training. As an example, understanding how to evaluate real estate using the appraisal method
will serve you well, but it is not part of mandatory pre-license education or most post-license training courses offered by real estate companies.
Keep practice separate As an active licensee, you would have an advantage over others looking to find suitable partners. As a real estate agent, people come to you looking to buy and sell property. Every person looking to buy an investment property is a potential candidate. Many people selling are also potential candidates unless they are cashing out of real estate. Just remember to keep their interests ahead of your own. If a customer is squeezed to sell below market, expose it to your customers instead of buying it yourself. Find your investments outside of your practice.
Pick partners carefully Being in real estate allows you to observe how your customers and clients operate. Witnessing their actions in real estate transactions is superior to interviewing candidates as a potential partner. You have no obligation to share that you are looking for a partner.
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.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 19, 2019 • Page RE5
Contemporary paint colors By Laura Firszt More Content Now
F
rom avocado green to millennial pink, trends in interior paint colors have come and gone. So how do you choose a color palette that looks fresh right now but you’ll still love tomorrow? Find out in my exclusive interview with Sherwin-Williams color expert Sue Wadden. What defines a contemporary paint color for home interiors?
Contemporary home design is all about the “now” and making a bold design statement. There’s currently a strong movement toward saturated earth tones and inspiration from nature — blues, greens and earthy browns. Our goal is to inspire DIYers and designers alike to update spaces in big and small ways with modern colors. The 2019 Color of the Year, Cavern Clay, is an earthy, versatile terracotta that feels classic, yet contemporary. How can homeowners choose the best paint colors for their house and lifestyle?
When it comes to choosing paint colors, I always say, “Start with what you love.” If there are certain objects that you love in your home, like a throw pillow or rug, use them as inspiration for your color palette. Trends are cyclical, and we often see colors come back in style after fading for a time. Homeowners and renters should select colors they enjoy and will feel comfortable with, even as trends shift. How can someone use bold modern house colors without overwhelming their decor?
Accent walls are still very popular and a great option for people who want to incorporate bold color without overwhelming their space. This is a perfect way to incorporate a striking, contemporary hue — especially
if you’re just starting to experiment with color. What are simple ways to update your home without repainting the entire space?
Painting your kitchen cabinets or island can give your kitchen a fresh, updated look. For the exterior of your home, adding a pop of color to the front door is an easy and inexpensive way to instantly boost curb appeal. What are good colors to paint a house for sale?
To sell your home, create a space that buyers can envision themselves living in. Warmer neutral colors make an interior more inviting. What are the hottest paint colors these days, and where do you recommend using them?
The past few years have been dominated by cooltoned paint colors like grays, blues and greens. Now we’re seeing a shift toward warmer, more welcoming colors for the home. Some Sherwin-Williams suggestions are: Cavern Clay creates the perfect backdrop in a dining room or kitchen, especially when paired with bright tiles, warm stone, and sculptural greenery to complete the desert modern look. Exuberant Pink is a bold color that works best as an accent wall in a home office, entryway, or bedroom. Charming Pink offers a lot of versatility and can be used just about anywhere - kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and more. Can you give a few insider tips on choosing and applying
paint colors?
Choosing a paint color is a commitment, so I recommend using color tools to narrow the choices and preview selections in your home. Get a wet sample to create multiple swatches of color on your wall so you’ll be confident that the color works in all lighting scenarios. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 19, 2019
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Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 19, 2019