Palouse LIVING Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.
October 2019
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Pros and cons to pet doors Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
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2 | October 10, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
Pros and cons to pet doors PROS Pet doors can be very convenient for pet ets quickly take up residence in their owners and pets. Unencumbered bathroom owners’ homes and hearts. Many pet parents treat their pets as full-edged breaks is one of the prime reasons to get a pet door. Not having to wake up early in the members of the family, with the same morning or rush home from work to let out privileges and attention they devote to a pup can give pet owners more freedom. other family members. Cat owners may choose to have their cats A 2016 Harris Poll found 95 percent of soil outdoors, removing the hassle and odor Americans consider their pets to be part of of indoor litter boxes. the family, and there is not much they won’t A pet door provides a way for pets to do for their companion animals. One area regulate when they need to go and not be at where pet owners may focus their attention is giving their pets more freedom to explore the mercy of their human companions. This is handy when training a puppy who cannot the outdoors. This can be achieved with hold his bladder for more than a few hours. the installation of a pet door. With busy Avoiding indoor accidents can be a great schedules taking many pet parents away reason to install a pet door. from home, pets may spend many hours Pets need exercise and stimulation to home alone. An outdoor retreat could be alleviate boredom and avoid destructive just what the veterinarian ordered for behaviors. Access to the outdoors promotes pets who need more fresh air. Before pet physical activity and mental stimulation. owners install doors for their four-legged friends, it may behoove them to consider the Cats may chase bugs or small animals. Dogs may run around the yard and play with a advantages and disadvantages to doing so. ball or stick. Easy access to outdoor play can take some of the burden off of busy pet owners.
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Courtesy of Metro Editorial
CONS As convenient as pet doors can be, they may disconnect pet owners from their pets. People may feel they don’t need to spend the time in the yard or walking the animal, and that can adversely affect the bonds between pet owner and pet. Another potential disadvantage concerns alpha-driven pets. Giving pets control over their comings and goings may reinforce ego
and potentially cause the animal to be less responsive to his owner’s commands. Safety is another concern. Although there are smart doors that can only open when triggered by a chip on the pet’s collar, one never knows what pets may bring indoors. Cats may present dead rodents and dogs may dirty the house with muddy paws. Weather is another concern. In colder climates, pet doors may be another source of drafts, contributing to inefcient heating and cooling situations. Dogs or cats who are prone to roaming could get into trouble if left to their own devices outside. Pet owners should consider a host of factors before installing pet doors in their homes.
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IN PRINT: Palouse Living is published monthly, with 7,000 copies distributed in the MoscowPullman Daily News and Lewiston Tribune, and at participating advertiser locations. ONLINE: Check out the latest digital edition online at DNews.com — just click on the Special Sections tab. To advertise your business or service, contact Sally Imel at simel@lmtribune.com, Faith Evans at faith@inland360. com, or call your local marketing consultant today!
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | October 10, 2019 | 3 of your rooms—plus open every closet and medicine cabinet—then a professionally targeted broker's open house may be appealing. If all goes according to plan, the real estate agents who tour the house will go through their mental Rolodex to see if your property would be a good t for any of their current buyers. If so, they'll likely bring those possible buyers back for a private showing in the near future, especially if the also offered as an incentive to show up. broker's open house was well-attended. On the day of this real estate event, the "It creates a sense of urgency", says other real estate agents will be given a Stephen Marchese of Re/Max Central in Blue chance to tour your home, enjoy the free Bell, PA, "and, a higher-perceived value of lunch while catching up with colleagues, the house." and offer your agent their opinions on the property. However, even if an offer doesn't come directly from the broker's open house, it can Typically, broker's open houses are held offer a valuable critique of how your home within the rst few days of a home being looks in comparison with other properties put on the real estate market in order to currently on the market in your area. Since capitalize on the initial burst of interest real estate agents regularly have the chance that often accompanies new listings. But to view a variety of homes, they have the if there is ever a dramatic adjustment to ability to give your agent feedback on how how your home is being marketed—such your home is being perceived by other as a signicant drop in price—your agent agents and homeowners—and how to better may suggest hosting another broker's open house to spread the news to potential buyers attract buyers and help it sell. and clients. THE BENEFITS OF A BROKER'S Tara Mastroeni, who comes from a family of real OPEN HOUSE FOR SELLERS estate agents, writes about home and lifestyle If you're the type of seller who doesn't topics. You can read more of her work on her relish the idea of opening your home to website: https://www.tmrealestatewriter.com/ crowds of looky-loos who'll tramp through your outdoor property, the garage, and all
What is a broker's open house?
A smart way to market your home
I
By Tara Mastroeni Courtesy of realtor.com
f you're trying to sell your home, it's likely your real estate agent has suggested hosting a broker's open house. But, what is that, exactly? Long story short, it's an open house not for home buyers, but for their real estate agents so they can determine whether your property is right for any of their clients. Here's how to decide how to make the most of this marketing opportunity—and maybe snag a great buyer for your home. HOW A BROKER'S OPEN HOUSE IS DIFFERENT The biggest difference between a broker's open house and a standard open house is who ends up on the invite list. While standard open houses are quite exible about who can stop by—and might include anyone from potential buyers to curious neighbors—the guest list for a broker's open house is strictly limited to other real estate
agents and industry professionals. Time is another differing factor for this real estate open house. Usually, standard real estate open houses are hosted on Sunday afternoons, because the vast majority of potential buyers have weekends free for house hunting. On the other hand, because a broker's open house caters to real estate agents—whose weekend schedules are often packed with home showings for clients—it is often held midweek, when agents are more likely to be available. WHAT HAPPENS AT A BROKER'S OPEN HOUSE? At its core, this open house home-selling tactic is another tool that real estate agents use to help market and sell a property. In addition to internet marketing systems like the multiple listing service, it's a method of debuting your listing to real estate professionals in your community. Once your agent schedules a broker's open house, he will advertise it to his network of real estate industry contacts. Usually a free lunch is
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and they're legally prohibited from handing out mortgages that are the equivalent of more than 35%. "Either pay down those debts, or increase your income, in order to get loan approval," says Williams. 4. YOUR CREDIT SCORE IS OVER 580 Another number lenders look at to determine your creditworthiness is your credit score. A perfect credit score is 850, and any score over 740 is considered to be great, but you don't need to fall in this range By Kristine Gill renting may make more nancial sense that gure. Your total amount is the max to be approved for a loan. Courtesy of realtor.com than buying. Take a look, though, at the mortgage you should shoot for. You can "absolutely" get a mortgage, average home price in your neighborhood— For example, if you make $80,000 a year, o you're ready to ditch your landlord Helling says, "as long as your credit is maybe you can afford to buy after all! you're looking at a safe bet of a $200,000 and the noisy neighbors who live above above 580—the cutoff for most loans—and Then, check out the following mortgage, plus whatever you think you can you. But instead of seeking out another you have enough money left over to make explanations, which will help you ponder save up for that down payment. place to rent, have you considered (like, the mortgage payments and the debt your nancial snapshot. You never know: Anastasio says you should also take into seriously considered) buying? payments." You may be calling yourself a homeowner account the regular housing expenses that For many people, purchasing a home is If your credit score falls below 700, lenders much earlier than you ever thought possible. come after the deal is done, including taxes, one of those bucket-list items—something will start to question whether you’re a 1. YOUR SALARY QUALIFIES insurance, maintenance and repair, and you'll accomplish down the road—so the risky investment as a potential borrower, YOU FOR A MORTGAGE homeowners association fees. idea of starting the process here and now and getting a mortgage will be more When determining if you can buy a house, 2. YOU CAN AFFORD TO PUT may seem out of the question. But there's a challenging. But, if your score is above 580, your salary is one of the rst gures you DOWN AT LEAST 3% chance you're actually in a better position there's still hope in the form of an FHA loan should take into account. But don't trick than you think. Most rst-time home buyers are or another type of conventional loan. The yourself into thinking that you can't afford intimidated by the idea of having to put Of course, every local real estate market FHA requires a minimum 580 credit score a house simply because you don't make a down a large chunk of change. However, the (and other requirements) to qualify. Having is different, and your dollar will stretch six-gure salary! Use this quick equation traditional 20% down isn't your only option. a poor credit score means you'll probably further in certain cities. Half a million from Lauren Anastasio, a certied nancial dollars in Waco, TX, will get you a heck of be required to pay PMI, but the benets "The ideal down payment amount is 20% planner with SoFi in San Francisco, to a lot more than $500,000 in San Francisco. of owning a home will far outweigh the of the price of the home, because that's the determine a realistic mortgage amount: Therefore, it's important to be realistic minimum amount required to avoid paying negatives. Multiply your annual income by 2.5, and when choosing between renting or buying. private mortgage insurance (PMI). But 5. A STARTER HOME (IF NOT A then add your down payment amount to In cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles, that's not realistic for most home buyers, FOREVER HOME) IS WITHIN REACH and shouldn't stop them from pursuing Some rst-time home buyers make the homeownership," says Candice Williams, a false assumption that the rst home they real estate agent with Re/Max Space Center invest in needs to be their forever home. in League City, TX. But don't let that idea deter you from Other paths to mortgages include purchasing a modest starter home, even if conventional loans, which require a you soon outgrow your new digs. minimum of 3% down, and Federal Housing After a few years of homeownership, you Administration (FHA) loans, which can go will hopefully start to build equity, either as low as 3.5% down. And if you're a veteran, through an increase in your property's you can qualify for a VA loan with no down value or by reducing your debt. Then, when payment. So take a look at your savings your family expands and you need to buy a account and browse the home listings in bigger house, you will have a quantiable your area. You might just nd that your asset that you can use on your next property years of saving have actually put you in a purchase. position to qualify for a mortgage. What you shouldn't do is buy a house that 3. YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF DEBT you can't yet ll, hoping that your lifestyle Another common misconception among later catches up. That can be a recipe for rst-time home buyers is that future disaster. homeowners must be debt-free in order to "Never buy outside your means," Helling get approved for a mortgage loan. But don't says. "Don't buy a home you can't afford, worry—you can still buy a home even if under the assumption that a promotion you you're still paying off your student loans. expect in a few years will eventually pay the "Lenders like to see a little debt. By paying mortgage." down a car loan on time, you're showing the bank that you are a responsible borrower," Kristine Gill is a Florida-based writer and says Andrew Helling, editor at REthority. journalist specializing in lifestyle and nance com. reporting. That being said, Williams points out that while it's ne to have current debts, rst(208) 746 746-8196 8196 | 402 4020 0 Hatwai Road Road, Lewiston time home buyers shouldn't be looking to GraniteConceptsNW.com | /GraniteConcepts add a mortgage if their current debts exceed Kitchens • Bathrooms • Desks • BBQs • Fire Pits • Fireplaces 7% of their monthly income. That's because most lenders won't approve loans of more *ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL, L-C VALLEY KITCHEN WITH GRANITE CONCEPTS than 28% of a borrower's monthly income,
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | October 10, 2019 | 5
7 crucial things you need to clarify before hiring painters I
By Terri Williams Courtesy of realtor.com
t doesn't matter if you're tackling one room or your entire home—painting is a big job. That’s why many people choose to forgo painting their house with their own two hands and hire professional painters. But assigning this task to a pro doesn't guarantee that things will go off without a hitch. There can be breakdowns in communication that result in mistakes— very expensive mistakes. Before you let anyone take a paintbrush or roller to your walls, make sure you're 100% clear on the following details. 1. THE PAINT COMPANY'S WORK HISTORY AND REPUTATION When hiring a painter, it’s your money and your home, so you have the right to ask as many questions as necessary to make sure they have a reputable work history. “Ask the painter how many years they have been in business and how large their crew is,” says Nathan Outlaw, president of Onvico, a design, engineering, and construction company in Thomasville, GA. “It will help determine if this is a y-bynight painter or someone who is planning on working for years to come.” Also ask for references. The painters should be able to provide a list of references, but Matt Kunz, president of Five Star Painting, recommends checking online for reviews and social media comments to get a sense of the contractor’s standings. “If there have been previous complaints or issues, they will likely be listed online," he says. 2. IF THE COST OF PAINT IS INCLUDED IN THE ESTIMATE Your estimate might sound good—too good, in fact. The likely reason? The quote doesn't include the cost of the paint. "It’s important for homeowners to know whether they’ll be expected to pay for the paint separately, or if it’s included in the quote they receive for the paint job,” says Mike Mundwiller, eld development manager at Benjamin Moore. 3. WHAT TYPE OF PAINT THE CONTRACTOR PLANS ON USING Another reason that an estimate might sound too good to be true: The contractor plans on using a cheap paint.
However, cost isn’t the only reason you should ask what type of paint is being used. You need to be sure the contractor is using a paint specically designed for the surface being painted. “Paint suitable for high-moisture spaces is completely different than what a contractor would use in a dining room,” Mundwiller says. For example, high-gloss paints don't absorb moisture and are easy to wipe down, so they are often used in bathrooms and kitchens. But few people like the look of shiny walls in more public parts of the house, so high-gloss paint is rarely used in living rooms or bedrooms. 4. HOW MUCH YOUR PAINTER KNOWS ABOUT PAINT Your painter should be able to answer your painting questions knowledgeably, easily, and condently. “A reputable painter will be able to explain the different paint types and answer any questions you may have about painting the exterior or interior of your home,” Kunz says. For example, the pro should be able to recall the types of paint sheens (at, eggshell, satin, semigloss, and high-gloss) and where each of these sheens should be used. He should also be able to explain washability and how to maintain the color, Kunz adds. 5. HOW MANY COATS WILL BE APPLIED This may seem like far too specic a question to ask, but failing to inquire about the number of coats could lead to problems with your paint job down the road. This could be an area where a shady painting contractor might try to pull a fast one. “Some painters may submit a quote that doesn’t include the cost of more than one coat of paint,” says Jody Costello, founder of the website Contractors From Hell. After the rst coat has been applied, the contractor may try to charge you more for additional coats. If you're repainting a wall in the same color, you need only one coat of paint. But if you're changing color or painting a brandnew wall, experts recommend you apply one coat of primer and two coats of paint. 6. HOW LONG THE JOB IS EXPECTED TO TAKE
A quality paint job takes time. However, you need to know in advance how much time you should allot to this project. “You want to plan to avoid the areas being painted both during painting and while the paint is drying,” Mundwiller says. Depending on the number of rooms being painted, you may need to leave the home for a few hours—or a few days. 7. THE PAYMENT PROCESS One of the biggest red ags homeowners encounter is painters asking for
payment upfront. “A company that is secure and condent in its abilities will not ask for a full payment until the nal job is complete and up to your full satisfaction,” Kunz says. In fact, Costello advises against ever paying more than 30% to start a project: “You should never hand over a large amount of money at the beginning, because the contractor may be slow to start or nish the painting project.” And that’s the best-case scenario. In a worst-case scenario, she says the contractor may take the money and run.
Terri Williams is a journalist who has written for USA Today, Yahoo, the Economist, U.S. News and World Report, and the Houston Chronicle.
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6 | October 10, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
7 ways to make guests more comfortable when entertaining up air mattress with high-quality linens. 3. Anticipate guests’ needs. Think any people enjoy opening their like a concierge when hosting at home. homes to friends and family. Have extra toothbrushes, antiperspirant, Entertaining can include mouthwash, and a phone charger at the everything from backyard barbecues ready. Is your guest a reader? Keep a few to hosting formal dinner parties to selections nearby or a book of puzzles providing overnight accommodations. so they can stay busy during their While each of those things is different, hosts always want to ensure their guests downtime. 4. Keep dietary needs in mind. are as comfortable as possible, regardless Guests have different palates and of which style of gathering they’re preferences, but some may have serious hosting. Hosts can use these seven strategies to food allergies as well. Ask in advance if any guests have food allergies so you can help guests feel at home. ensure that any meals served are not just 1. Consider the details. Does your delicious, but also safe and healthy. guest like chocolate covered almonds? 5. Keep pets at bay. Guests may not Does he or she prefer a certain genre of be as enamored with pets as their hosts. music? Take note of the specic details If you know a guest has an allergy or an that make the guest tick, and then incorporate them into your entertaining aversion to pets, keep the animals away as much as possible. plans. 6. Freshen the home. Take inventory 2. Ready the space. Not everyone of your home in its current state and has a full-edged guest room, but make some minor improvements. that doesn’t mean you can’t create a welcoming and private retreat for guests. Add some interior lighting, clean the Turn a home ofce into an overnight area bathrooms, create some extra seating, and freshen up with some owers to with a pull-out couch or even a dressed-
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Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Buying, Selling Or Renting — Let Our Experience Lead You Home!
Kathy Weber (509) 336-1515
make for a welcoming environment. 7. Prepare a special meal. Give guests a sensational meal they’re not likely to forget. This can mean indulging a little
Patty Gemberling (208) 669-2006
Terri Guenthner (208) 301-2374
with sourced ingredients, home cooking and a good bottle of wine. Comfort should always be a priority when readying a home for guests.
Teri Skiles (208) 669-1364
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Remax Connections Traci Hacker (208) 310-1557
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | October 10, 2019 | 7
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FINDING HOMES FOR HOME’S BEST FRIEND Both the Moscow and Pullman ofces have teamed up with the Humane Society of the Palouse and the Whitman County Humane Society to help nd homes for local dogs and cats. For the month of October both ofces will be paying the adoption fees for 2 cats and 2 dogs at both locations. Call today to nd out how you can bring home a new furry friend!
Mark Blehm (509) 336-9935
Melanie Lange (509) 553-9451
Jason Brown (208) 669-1690
Debbie Lawrence (208) 301-0108
Tracy Burch-Greer (208) 874-7823
Shannon May (208) 892-9256
Stephanie Clark (509) 595-2798
Bill Morscheck (509) 332-9088
405 S. Grand Ave., Pullman (509) 334-0562 www.cbtpullman.com
Eve Fortenbery (208) 301-8698
Kathy Motley (509) 432-6561
Patti Green-Kent (509) 595-3740
Mick Nazerali (206) 794-7860
Linda Hartford (509) 432-9030
Connie Newman (509) 595-1443
217 S. Main St., Moscow (208) 882-0800 www.cbtmoscow.com
Amy Honeywell (509) 432-9329
Darl Roberts (509) 432-1642
Maya Petrino (502) 552-2564