SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 39
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
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019
2018 Marketing Plan
2019 Marketing Plan
Because hope is not a marketing plan. Start your year oǺ strong with a guided plan from ThriveHive. 515-232-2160 | www.amestrib.thrivehive.com
515 432 6694 | www newsrepublican thrivehive com
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019 • Page RE3
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Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.
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Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019
TIPS OF THE WEEK HOME BUYING
MAINTENANCE
GARDENING
CONSIDER RENO WORK CAREFULLY
SIGNS OF FURNACE TROUBLE
FRESHEN UP FOR FALL
Buying and renovating can be a quicker path to home ownership, but make sure you think through the process, according to NerdWallet. com. Fixer-uppers usually sell for less per square foot than move-in ready homes, and renovation loans allow home buyers to pay off improvements over a longer period of time and at a lower interest rate.
Signs your furnace may be in need of repair or replacement include hearing unusual sounds, a surprisingly expensive heating bill or breakdowns within the past two years, according to HomeAdvisor.com.
By now, a summer garden may look overgrown. Freshen it up with these tips from Centurion:
Just be sure not to bite off more than you can handle. Hire a professional contractor to give an estimate of costs. Then, it’s up to you if you want to hire a pro to do the work or save money and do it yourself.
Even forgetting to change the air filter can lead to problems and reduce the furnace’s energy efficiency. An overworked furnace can lead to mechanical failures and gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
• Brighten container gardens by adding ornamental kale, pansies, violas and mums, which all thrive in cooler weather. • Plant spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinth and bluebells for dramatic color with minimal effort next year.
— More Content Now
DEAR MONTY Pros and cons of buying from the listing agent
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: I have found a home and I want to make an offer. There are stories about why it is and isn’t a good idea to use the listing agent. What are the pros and cons of going directly to the listing agent to make an offer? Monty’s answer: Some home buyers never realize there are pros and cons. Some will seek out the listing agent because they believe they can save money by negotiating the buying side
of the commission down. Some agents promote this choice in very subtle ways. Savings can happen because the listing agent may double their payday with both “sides” of the sale. Some customers believe part of that “extra” fee may be used to bridge the gap between what a seller will accept and what a buyer will offer. The buyer (or the agent) may propose that if they raise their offer, the agent will reduce the buyer-side commission to help close the gap. The desired effect is the buyer can buy a home for less than they may have paid using a different agent. Also, if there are multiple offers, the listing agent has an enormous incentive to ensure his or her buyer is the winner. Some listing agents see agency law as complicating such an arrangement. Individual states are more intent on enforcing agency rules than others. States generally believe well-defined
agency relationships and the associated oversight will result in fewer consumer complaints and a more professional real estate workforce. Other agents think differently. Some agents work dual-agency successfully. How is the market performing in your price range? If the market is overheated and agents cannot keep homes in inventory, the agent logic may be to find another buyer who does not have this requirement. If the house has extended market time, some agents see a concession as an opportunity to help their seller. They do not want to lose a sale. The pros:
• You may be able to negotiate a more favorable price. • The time spent in negotiations may decrease. • You may garner information that a buyer-agent would not.
• There is a reduced chance of miscommunication. • You may have an advantage in a multiple offer environment. The cons: • The seller may be suspicious and question the agent’s motives. • The agent may use the double-agent scheme against you. • None or few of the hoped-for benefits materialize. • The agent could refuse you, which could negatively impact your offer. Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019 • Page RE5
It’s seamless
Seamless guttering pros, cons and common materials By Laura Firszt More Content Now
I
s roof gutter replacement on your to-do list for fall? If so, you might want to consider seamless guttering. This type of gutter installation has been skyrocketing in popularity among American homeowners lately. Regular old-style gutters are appropriately known as sectional. Made up of numerous 10- to 20-foot sections, they’re joined by connectors or couplings, soldered or sealed together. Individual sections can be hacksawed to size. This does make sectional gutters quick and easy to install, whether by a pro or a handy homeowner (in fact, you may find sectional guttering sold as a DIY kit). There’s a trade-off, though: you will end up with a lot of seams. The alternative is seamless guttering, which has seams only at the roof corners and downspout attachments. It is roll-cut on site from one piece of metal.
Pros • Reduce gutter clogs and leaks. Seams in gutters are weak spots. They’re vulnerable to leaking or overflow when blocked by dirt and debris, which may result in water damage to your home. That’s why minimizing the number of gutter seams is so valuable. While seamless guttering is highly leak-resistant, be aware that it’s not completely leak-proof. • Simplify routine gutter maintenance. Fewer seams also mean that you will have less of a hassle clearing out fallen leaves, pine needles and the like. • Custom made to measure for your house. You’ll end up with a well-fitting, great-looking guttering system that adds value to your home.
Cons • Higher cost. However, balance that
initial expense against better protection, longer lifespan and easier maintenance. • Require you to hire a roofing pro for installation. Don’t plan to tackle installation of seamless guttering yourself. • May not be suitable for some roofs. If your home is topped by an ornate roof style that includes lots of angles, seamless guttering might not be cost effective. You could be better off with sectional roofing to accommodate the many corners.
Common materials • Aluminum: Rustproof and lightweight, aluminum gutters are available in a wide range of colors. These are generally the least expensive option; they’re easy to recycle, as well. Aluminum is prone to hail damage, though. • Copper: Copper gutters are durable and rustproof. Shiny when new, copper will develop a rich patina as it ages. Its distinctive appearance is good for curb appeal. • Painted or stainless steel: Steel is the strongest of all guttering materials, making it ideal for harsh, stormy climates. The one drawback is that it is heavy, making gutter installation more difficult. • Zinc: Zinc gutters are rustproof and sustainable (recycled content makes up more than 30% of zinc used in building materials). Leave them “au naturel” or paint, if you prefer. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
Clarification The information regarding propane tank storage was unclear in the “Seasonal shift” story on a recent Home page. Propane tanks can be stored inside garages — not homes — if there is proper ventilation, which generally means a detached garage or shed.
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019
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
RE WEEKLY
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, September 25, 2019 • Page RE7
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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
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