OCTOBER 4, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 40
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
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DEAR MONTY
Explanations for shocking HOA exit fees
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
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eader question: We are in the closing process of selling our home. We just learned from our agent that the title company received an invoice for $1,100 from the company that manages our homeowner association (HOA). We checked around with
friends that have moved out of other HOA’s in the area, and if assessed, all were minimal in comparison. It is much higher than other HOA exit fees in our area. We then asked the management company for the HOA documentation authorizing this procedure. The response was the HOA did not put this information on their website or in any documents for legal reasons, and because they did not want the homeowners to know of the existence of this fee until they moved. On what basis do they have the right to demand these funds from us? Monty’s answer: It is not uncommon for HOAs to charge relocating
homeowners a fee similar to what you have described. It is a method to generate income for the HOA to defer the expenses the HOA incurs in providing home sellers a lien-free certificate. There are three possibilities about what is transpiring in your transaction: • A misunderstanding or an error of some sort, like bookkeeping, transcription, or communication error. Seek to understand first, and then be understood. Go directly to the president of the HOA to ask for clarification. • The exit fee has been described to you correctly. If you learn the explanation on HOA operations is
accurate, you can decide to accept it, or you can choose to resist it. If you do not want to jeopardize the sale, consider closing the transaction and attempt to recover the cost later. • It is also possible there is illegal activity here. You received an answer that cries out for further scrutiny. While it is possible the board was ill advised in authorizing this practice, it is just as likely that one or two people could be colluding to defraud the departing homeowners and the homeowners association. If you suspect irregularities, consider consulting with other unit owners.
7,36 2) 7+( :((. Make any space perfect for young adults
What a pro says about your kitchen renovation
Use these tips from Lowe’s in your own home renovation project to create a space your teen will love. • Infuse new technology, even mood lighting, to make the space feel extra comfortable and cool. • Create an environment for studying. Warm lighting and comfy chairs or bean bags help create a quiet, welcoming space for them to relax and learn. • Design a space they’ll want to share with friends. If the space can easily handle multiple teenagers, it will help build new friendships or strengthen existing ones.
Considering a kitchen renovation but not sure how to get the most out of your space and budget? LG Studio line and A-list designer Nate Berkus suggest making the most of your budget and save what you can. “If your cabinets are in good condition, you can save a ton of money by painting them. Flooring: don’t rip it out if you can refinish,” says Berkus. For an investment that lasts, Berkus says to err on the side of classic elements and finishes like stone, nickel, brass, steel, painted shaker cabinets and subway tile.
PEXELS
+(5%6 Fresh herbs at your fingertips, even in autumn According to the gardening experts at Bonnie Plants, herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, mint, chives, lavender and cilantro are prolific producers, and some, like mint and rosemary, are especially easy to grow in fall. Herbs need at least four to six hours of natural light per day to grow indoors, so choose a sunny spot near a window where they’ll be protected from drafts and cold. Also, read the label on your potting soil and follow the brand’s recommendations for fertilizing frequency.
'(6,*1 Advantages of a matte finish Chalk paint, usually latex paint containing a granular additive such as plaster of Paris, is enjoying huge popularity among DIYers right now. A few of its benefits, according to Lowe’s: • Unless your surface is high gloss or peeling, it shouldn’t require sanding or stripping before adhering. • It dries faster than most paints, with two coats often possible within 90 minutes. • It offers full coverage; fewer coats are needed to move from light to dark or vice versa. • It finishes well with multiple sealers, including polycrylic, varnish and wax. G LOWLES INTERIORS/FLICKR
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Kitchen remodel myths vs. truths Networx
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y nice next-door neighbor and I had our first disagreement the other night. The subject: “Kitchen remodel: To do or not to do?” We live side by side, each in a condo with an identical very, very ’90s kitchen design. I am itching to upgrade mine; he firmly believes that acquiring a taste for renovation is dangerous, making you crave a new kitchen remodel every five years. This got me thinking. Seems homeowners believe a lot of “kitchen remodel myths” — ideas about kitchen remodeling that don’t necessarily make sense. In the interest of objectivity, read on as we answer common myths with the truth. 1. MYTH: A kitchen remodel isn’t worth the bother. It’ll just go out of style in five years anyway. TRUTH: Your kitchen remodel is not only about looks: a well-planned kitchen design will make this essential room more efficient, easier to clean, and a welcoming place to gather with family and friends. Do be sure to select attractive neutral colors, stainless steel or white appliances, and classic styles for a kitchen remodel that’ll look fresh and appealing for years to come. 2. MYTH: The most convenient time for a kitchen renovation is right after you close on a house, before moving in. TRUTH: Buying a house is expensive (probably the priciest purchase you’ll ever make), and brings lots of related costs like furniture and landscaping. It may make sound financial sense to wait a few years until you can afford the kitchen remodel you really want. What’s more, once you’ve lived in your home a while, you’ll be better equipped to plan a kitchen design that optimizes the available space, and suits your family’s traffic patterns and routines.
BIGSTOCK
By Laura Firszt
3. MYTH: “Go big or go home.” You must do a lavish, floor-to-ceiling kitchen remodel to get the best return on investment when you’re about to sell your house. TRUTH: Potential buyers tend to be more interested in your home’s state of repair than whether you have the latest and greatest kitchen decor. And a minor kitchen remodel will usually net a better ROI than a major one (80.2 compared to 65.3 percent, on average), says Remodeling Magazine’s Cost Vs Value report. 4. MYTH: You will need to remodel everything so the older parts won’t look out of place. TRUTH: An expert remodeler can help you plan a small-scale kitchen remodel that skillfully integrates new elements with old — for example, replacement flooring that is carefully color coordinated with your existing kitchen cabinet doors and wall paint. 5. MYTH: Quartz countertops are better than granite. OR: granite countertops are better than quartz. TRUTH: Both quartz and granite are top-quality, high-performance materials for your countertops. Each has pros and cons. Do your research on granite vs. quartz countertops and decide which one you personally prefer.
— like pot and pan organizers or pullout corner fittings — are just frills (AKA a waste of money). TRUTH: Installation of kitchen design features that save you time and hassle means money well spent. That’s the conclusion of the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence, whose survey found that homeowners’ biggest kitchen remodel regret was failing to include more organizational aids.
6. MYTH: The only solution for drab, dreary kitchen cabinets is (expensive!) replacement. TRUTH: Kitchen cabinets in good shape can be refreshed in any of these time- and money-saving ways: • Repaint with latex or chalk paint • Refinish — Gel stain requires minimal sanding and is simple to apply. • Reface (replace just your kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts)
8. MYTH: There’s no such thing as an eco-friendly kitchen remodel. TRUTH: You can easily green your kitchen remodel using these tips: • Replace outdated appliances with efficient Energy Star certified models to reduce electricity consumption. Then recycle the old appliances for parts or scrap metal. • Once kitchen cabinets are removed from the wall, reuse them to organize your basement or garage storage. Or donate them to Habitat for Humanity. • Choose responsibly sourced, sustainable materials for a green kitchen remodel. For instance, wood for kitchen cabinets should be FSC approved. Also, avoid toxic substances, like high-VOC adhesives, paint, and stain.
7. MYTH: Fancy features for kitchen cabinets
Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
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