NOVEMBER 6, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 45
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
Always Available Online SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 37
RE WEEKLY
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 36
RE WEEKLY STORY
COUNTY
STORY
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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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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Flooring price
comparison
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
H
ow much should you pay for a new floor? And how do different materials stack up, in terms of flooring price, installation and best use? To accurately compare flooring price, check out this detailed cost guide.
Vinyl Vinyl tile flooring is very affordable and easy to install — ideal for DIY. Groutable vinyl tile adds a special touch to your floor. While sheet vinyl flooring installation is more complex (because the sheet must be cut to your room’s exact measurements and layout), it offers all the other advantages of vinyl tiles: moisture resistance, low maintenance and a wide assortment of styles. Best use: Kitchen, bathroom
Average price per square foot: Materi-
als $1-3; pro installation $1-2.
Linoleum Don’t confuse linoleum with vinyl. Linoleum flooring is a natural ecofriendly product, manufactured of linseed oil (hence the name), wood or cork dust, pine rosin, and mineral filler. More durable than vinyl, linoleum is higher-maintenance and benefits from occasional waxing and yearly application of a protective coating. Best use: Bathroom, kitchen, playroom, laundry Average price per square foot: Materials and installation $4 for sheet linoleum, $5 for linoleum tiles.
Hardwood Natural hardwood floors have a rich beauty that increases with age. Although hardwood is susceptible to water damage and staining, wiping spills immediately
helps protect your floor. Badly worn hardwood flooring may be sanded down and refinished 5-10 times over the course of its life. Best use: Living room, bedrooms. Durable species are great for high-traffic areas like foyers. Average price per square foot: Depends on which material you choose, from American-grown pine (technically a softwood) at $1.50-$4.00 per square foot, up to exotic hardwoods such as tigerwood or Santos mahogany, whose costs tend to start at $9+ per square foot. Pro installation ranges from $2-$8 per square foot, based on plank width and whether the wood is prefinished.
Laminate Laminate planks imitate the look of hardwood at a lower price. If installed as a floating floor, they’re simple for doit-yourselfers to work with. Be sure to mix planks from several cartons to vary patterning. While laminate floors resist scratching or sun fading, they’re not moisture-proof and can’t be sanded to remove stains or signs of wear. However, individual planks may be replaced if damaged. Some homeowners feel that laminate does not have the luxurious appearance of real hardwood floors. Best use: Bedroom, living room Average price per square foot: Materials $1-6; pro installation $1-5
Concrete Trendy concrete flooring is available in an amazing array of colors and concrete finishes. Concrete floors are low-maintenance if properly sealed; however, they are considered one of the least eco-friendly options. Concrete flooring above grade may require special reinforcement.
Best use: Basement, outdoor living space, kitchen, bathroom, anywhere underfloor heating will be installed Average price per square foot: Materials and pro installation total $2-$6 for a simple polished concrete floor up to $8-$15 for complex artistic designs and colorations.
Carpet Carpeting keeps your rooms cozier, cushions floors and reduces noise. However, it can have an adverse effect on indoor air quality, so use caution if household members are allergy-prone; choose low pile and vacuum frequently with an HEPA filter. Best use: Open plan rooms, chilly areas, staircases Average price per square foot: Materials: from $1-$3 for polyester or olefin up to $4-$20 for wool. Pro installation: $.50-$1, more for labor-intensive projects like carpeting stairs.
Ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile are long-lasting, easy-care, moisture-resistant flooring solutions. They do not trap allergens or off-gas VOCs. Choose from a huge selection of attractive designs and sizes from 4x4-inches to 16x16-inches. The major disadvantage with tile is that it’s somewhat complicated to install, particularly if you select an intricate design. Stone tile installation is especially difficult due to its heavy weight. Best use: Bathroom, kitchen Average price per square foot: Materials $5-$15 for ceramic or $7-$20 for stone. Pro installation $6-$8 for ceramic, plus approximately ten percent more for stone tiles. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 6, 2019 • Page RE3
DEAR MONTY
Can an agent add an addendum for extra commission?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: A home buyer offered us an amount that we liked. But there was an addendum by the buyer’s agent for an extra half-percent commission. We did not accept that and counter-offered. However, our agent told us the deal would not go through if we did not accept
the request by the buyer’s agent. Can a buyer-agent present an offer to a seller based on the seller paying extra commission? Monty’s answer: The listing real estate agent must present all offers to a seller. Based on the scant information provided, there is a good chance the buyer is asking you to pay an additional commission and not the agent. Your broker splits the commission with the selling agent’s company, and the split may not cover the amount the buyer has agreed to pay under the buyer agency agreement. We will assume there is a buyer agency agreement in place. When there is no written buyer agency agreement, the agent remains a sub-agent of the seller. Without an agreement, the buyeragent has no claim. The main talking
point for a buyer agency is, “The seller pays your buyer agent fee instead of a co-broke fee.” If the co-broke fee the buyer-agent collects from the listing real estate company does not cover the buyer-agent cost, the agreement states the buyer will make up the shortfall. Some agents are uncomfortable explaining that clause to a potential client for fear the prospect will walk away. Typically, but not always, there is enough commission to cover the buyeragent fee.
Your choices Pay the extra one-half percent or reject the offer and try to negotiate. Who signed the addendum you mentioned? The agent cannot interject an addendum into a contract between a buyer and a
seller. It is the buyer asking for extra commission for the agent, so they can avoid the payment. If the agent created an addendum and the buyer did not sign it, is the buyer even aware the buyer agent has done this? In my state, this could be a cause for disciplinary action against the agent and the agent’s broker. The agent’s broker is responsible for the agent’s actions. Will the house sell again tomorrow? How long has it been for sale? If your home is a hot ticket, as a seller, you may decide to test the buyer’s resolve. This opinion could change as new information surfaces. Contact Richard Montgomery at DearMonty.com.
Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 6, 2019
TIPS OF THE WEEK GARDENING
TIP OF THE WEEK
HOME RENOVATION
IT’S STILL POSSIBLE TO GROW HERBS AFTER SUMMER
TAKE THESE STEPS AROUND THE HOUSE TO PREVENT TERMITES
TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Now that summer has gone, consider planting herbs. Lori Murray, gardener for the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen, Texas, recommends planting herbs in the ground, in raised beds or in containers. All of them require welldrained soil. Cilantro, dill, parsley, and basil are annuals and can thrive after summer. Murray says the rule of thumb in cooking is to use three times as much of a fresh herb as a dried one.
• Keep wood away from the ground. Wooden components near the ground can attract termites, and provide them with food and shelter. You might consider getting rid of wooden steps or lattice work. • Prevent moisture from accumulating at the foundation of your home and inside your crawlspace. Termites are attracted to water. Ensure your home is free of leaks with working gutters and proper drainage. • Do not store firewood near your home. Termites love to eat and take shelter in lumber. Avoid keeping firewood, cardboard boxes or newspapers near your home or propped up against your house, as they will likely move on to your foundation.
Increasing the energy efficiency of your home can save you money and help combat climate change. RE/MAX has compiled a list of tips: • Switching to LED lights will reduce energy consumption as well. LEDs use less energy and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. • Instead of high-flow showerheads, which can waste water, consider installing showerheads that allow you to change the flow. Additionally, modern, high-efficiency toilets use less than half the water of a traditional toilet per flush. — More Content Now
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 6, 2019 • Page RE5
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
RE WEEKLY
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, November 6, 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
JANUARY 11, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 2
JANUARY 4, 2017 1 Volume 12 • Issue
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