NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 48
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
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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.
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Fall upgrades BRANDPOINT
By Brandpoint
F
all can be the perfect time for homeowners to complete projects that busy summer schedules didn’t allow. It’s also a great time to look at ways to add lasting value to your property. This season, upgrade cheap fixes, freshen dated looks and incorporate lasting improvements in your home. Changes that can bring impact and also increase the resale potential of your home include:
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS
Lose the linoleum Linoleum has been popular in many homes since the 1950s, but these days it’s not the only flooring option for durability and waterproofing in areas like the kitchen and bath. Wood-look tile has become hugely popular, and the style isn’t going anywhere. Retailers like Lumber Liquidators carry an array of wood-look porcelain tile, vinyl
and engineered flooring products that are versatile, water- and stain-resistant and fit with any decor. Upgrade laminate countertops Particleboard and laminate are affordable options, but not ones that will create impact in
VISUALHUNT
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to change. If you’re looking to sell, scraping the popcorn in favor of a smooth look may win over prospective buyers. Always test popcorn ceilings for asbestos before you start. Rethink wallpaper Wallpaper had its day, but many new homeowners want it gone — and that’s not always an easy update. Save the headache now and later and opt for neutral paint styles while bringing interest and color with your décor. Whites and neutral paints for walls and trim brighten a space and make it appear bigger. VISUALHUNT
the kitchen. These days the options are vast for elevating countertops with butcher block, quartz, marble, concrete and more. Create a cohesive look with countertops matched to the cabinets. Updating hardware can also be an economical way to freshen the space and tie the look together. Scrape popcorn ceilings Common in many homes because they’re easy to apply, popcorn ceilings are often one of the first things a new homebuyer wants
No more wall-to-wall carpeting Many homeowners can’t wait to get rid of old, dirty and dated carpets in favor of the quality, reliability and beauty of hardwood and woodlook floors. Now there are a variety of hardwoods, bamboo and wood-look flooring styles to choose from, and it’s possible to achieve the look of hardwood at an accessible price point. The best part of making improvements like these now is that homeowners can enjoy them all winter
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long, and far beyond. And you’ll increase the odds the next generation will love your home, too.
DEAR MONTY
Zoning change upsets neighbors
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: Our neighbor petitioned for a zoning change on property he has owned for many years. Our city has grown out past our homes. His story is that a developer approached him claiming the town wants a small strip center and a convenience store.
The city says area residents are complaining they have to drive too far for essential supplies, including gasoline. Many of the neighbors are very upset with him because they fear more traffic, loitering, crime, and loss of property value with commercial zoning. My wife and I have those same fears, but we want to be objective. What is your opinion about this situation? Monty’s answer: Zoning is a body of law designed to protect the safety, health, and the value of structures in a community all while seeking the most appropriate use of the land. Zoning is one of the many flashpoints in cities as growth
demands new services. Our neighborhoods can feel threatened when the needs for further services arise. I cannot comment specifically on your situation because I am not aware of the considerations in zoning and planning there. This writer has witnessed zoning and planning matters as a developer, an affected homeowner, a representative of a client seeking to rezone and as a community citizen on many occasions. Attend a meeting A rezoning meeting is a good learning experience for citizens, young and old, to witness. Zoning meetings are a side of local civics most people never think to attend.
Many people do not like change, some endorse change unequivocally, and others want to know more before they decide. Many times the neighbor’s fear is based on misinformation or unjustified myth. To witness a contested zoning meeting and study the participant’s actions can be a great lesson in human interaction. Richard Montgomery gives nononsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.
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