Rew 10 05 16

OCTOBER 5, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 40

RE WEEKLY STORY COUNTY

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

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.

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TIPS OF THE WEEK woodwork.

Check Get your • Update your decor with a new living room, dining older home room or bedroom set, taking care to enhance your windows, autumnfamily’s comfort without putting you in debt. doors ready • Take an objective look Creaky windows and sticking doors can add to the charm of an older home, but if you’re looking to sell your home, that charm could be lost on potential buyers. If the windows don’t open or are not properly sealed, or if there are issues with opening and closing doors, buyers could walk away before seeing the entire house. Buyers could also perceive the lack of repairs for the windows and doors as a red flag that there are other problems throughout the house.

— More Content Now

It’s never too early to start sprucing up your home and refreshing decor for the impending holiday season. And that nestfeathering doesn’t have to break the bank; there are plenty of ways to make your home warm, cozy and beautiful that don’t require a huge budget. Here are a few suggestions: • A big fall cleaning actually makes more sense than a spring cleaning, since you’ll be spending so much more time inside.

Before settling in, make an effort to wash walls, clean floors and carpets, wipe down windows and polish

at your interior lighting and determine whether upgrades are in order. A wealth of research points to how lighting directly affects mood, and the last thing you want in the fall and winter months is to struggle with under-lit rooms that make you tired or less productive.

— Brandpoint/Big Lots

BRANDPOINT

DEAR MONTY

Are small additions to a home practical?

R

eader question:

Will a $15,000 to $19,000 laundry room added to the back of my home add enough value to be justifiable? The house is worth about $150,000.

It is a three-bedroom ranch built in 1997 with a gas fireplace and a remodeled kitchen. It would be something my wife would enjoy and make good use of the extra room for a closet and storage. The proposal also would add 10 feet by 6 feet to the garage. — Tom G. Monty’s answer: There is sufficient information here to provide some pointers.

The difference between small additions and typical home improvements is that

RICHARD MONTGOMERY

you are adding additional structure and square footage. It is new construction outside the existing structure rather than refurbishing existing features within the home. There are code issues with an addition not present remodeling an existing home. You also want to be certain you have a building permit.

The most important

factors with an addition: • Avoid creating unusual or odd sized floor plans or ceiling heights.

• Simulate the quality of the materials and workmanship in the existing home.

• Create exterior elevations that add to, and not diminish, the home’s appearance.

• Does the current HVAC equipment have enough capacity to expand?

• Will the HVAC and windows provide even heating, cooling and natural light?

• Ensure that no design flaws are incorporated in the new addition roof that creates potential water penetration.

Not to imply adding a laundry room is a bad idea, but suggesting that more data makes for an informed decision. Most additions are considerably larger than what you describe. People do add laundry rooms, but typically it would be a part of a more significant addition. A laundry room in the context of a family room addition is an example.

Another common combination is a bathroom and a laundry room.

Ask different professionals experienced with real estate in general and additions in particular that have seen your home. Certain real estate agents, good remodeling contractors or

a draftsperson at a local lumberyard will all have good input.

Consider making a comparison between selling your current home for one with a first-floor laundry room versus the addition to your current home. It is an alternative to be looking at very carefully.

— Richard Montgomery is a real estate industry veteran. Send him questions at DearMonty.com. More Content Now

Ready a room for painting If you’re looking to paint just one wall or several, before even dipping your brush or roller into a paint can you’ll need to prepare the wall to be painted. First remove dirt and grease stains with water, mild dishwashing detergent and a cellulose sponge; then rinse with water. Using painters blue tape, tape the trim, window and door frames to keep paint from where you don’t want it.

Be sure to prime the walls to help maximize the sheen and coverage of paint.

— More Content Now

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