WNCHomeowners.com Fall/Winter 2016
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Whether you are a buyer, seller, or long term homeowner, WNC Homeowners Resource Guide is the one-stop guide for all things home. The guide offers a comprehensive listing of local WNC service providers ready to help make your home its very best. Connect with local home furnishings and service providers online at www.WNCHomeowners.com
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WHICH LENDING OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU? Whether you’re looking to make a first-time purchase, refresh an existing home, or simply leverage built-up equity for other reasons, it’s important to figure out which path is right for you and understand the lending options available. irst-time buyers must start with F determining what is affordable. In addition to the mortgage payment, housing costs will include property taxes and homeowners insurance and fees, such as homeowner association dues. Altogether, costs should be no more than 28 percent of monthly gross income and should leave room to continue servicing other debt, such as student loans, credit cards, or auto loans. When preparing to buy a home, work through credit pre-approval to be ready with a strong offer when the opportunity arises. In addition to reviewing credit history, a loan originator will consider the amount of the down payment. A down payment typically ranges from 3-20 percent. A down payment that is less than 20 percent may require you to purchase mortgage insurance. A mortgage originator, however, can provide a variety of lending options to optimize your investment, from 15- and 30-year mortgages to fixed and variable terms. If planning to make some improvements to a much-loved residence, consider financing the
updates through a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Eligibility depends on how much equity has been built up in the home and the lender’s loan-to-value ratio. A HELOC works much like a credit card and offers flexibility. A minimum amount is paid monthly, and interest applies to the amount borrowed. Before embarking on a remodeling project, do some homework. Start with the lender to determine the value of the home and the loan amount available. Then, establish a budget that leaves room for unexpected expenses. Work with a reputable professional to define the project and its requirements, and shop around for bids and recommendations to confidently select a contractor. Some lenders offer checklists to help get the most from the investment. Remember to consult a professional for advice applicable to your specific situation. Begin with a lender who can help you identify financial options available to homebuyers and owners today. With careful planning and budgeting, the financing you need may be well within reach.
Who says you have to suffer through the whole winter season? You can easily take advantage of beautiful destinations while staying on a budget. Say goodbye to that cold and dreary winter vacation and spend it someplace better. Bring the whole family, too!
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Whether it’s snow skiing or sun bathing on the beach that you’re after, The Real Estate Book has come up with a helpful list of vacation spots, where you can effortlessly cure your wintertime blues. Visit RealEstateBook.com to browse even more properties!
Ski Spots Silverthorne, CO Beautifully situated in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Silverthorne offers both visitors and residents breathtaking scenery you won’t find anywhere else. There is always something to do in Silverthorne. And if you like skiing, well, let’s just say you’re in for a treat. You’ll have easy access to four world-class ski resorts just within the Summit County limits. Mammoth Lakes, CA The lovely town of Mammoth Lakes is surrounded by two million acres of Inyo National Forest, where you’ll also have access to the Mammoth Lakes Trail System, which features more than 300 miles of trails. Additionally, there are countless mountain resorts where you can ski to your heart’s content!
Beach Spots Honolulu, HI Located on Oahu’s south shore, enjoy your winter vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital city. Soak up some rays on the beach or explore the Waikiki neighborhood’s dining, shopping, and awesome entertainment. San Juan, PR Puerto Rico’s largest city and capital, San Juan, sits on the island’s Atlantic Coast. Spend your winter vacation on the most amazing beaches and entertaining attractions for the whole family. West Palm Beach, FL Escape the cold during wintertime by renting a home in West Palm Beach, one of Florida’s best and most enjoyable destinations. You’ll never run out of things to do and may not want to leave when winter is over! Corpus Christi, TX Come and stay for a while in Corpus Christi, a charming coastal city in the South Texas region. You’ll have convenient access to the best beaches, bay front promenade, and even cultural entertainment in the arts and museum district.
HOW LONG WILL YOUR HOUSEHOLD FIXTURES LAST? Many maintenance projects for homeowners involve replacing an outdated appliance or fixture, but it can be difficult to discern when a household feature needs replacement. One way to determine how often you should replace items is by its typical lifespan. Fortunately, a lot of household fixtures won’t need expensive replacements for some time. Garage doors, gas fireplaces and linoleum floors are expected to last 25 years. Whirlpool bathtubs and sink faucets can last up to 20 years. Gas ovens and garage door openers may last 18 years, given proper care. Other common appliances and fixtures, however, wear out more quickly. Though washing machines are expected to last 15 years, dryers are expected to last 13. Refrigerators can last up to 13 years, as well. Source: RISMedia’s Housecall
THE NUMBERS GO DOWN FROM THERE: Food Disposals, Water Heaters (12 years) Plasma Televisions (11 years) Lawnmowers, Carpets (10 years) Microwaves, Dishwashers (9 years) Air Conditioners (Window Unit), Mattresses (7 years) Rugs (5 years) Laptops (4 years) Roomba, Keurig Coffee Maker (2 years) And the fixture that lasts longest? Coming in at 45 years, your doorbell will likely continue to operate after you’ve moved on from your current home.
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Transform Small Spaces into Charming Places In home listings across the country, the word small is often replaced with a far more marketable and appealing word: “charming.” But what makes a home charming compared to small? How does a homeowner transition a cramped room into a space with unique and appealing character? Create special spaces and storage Carefully consider the functions of any space, such as TV viewing, reading, or computer use, so that only the items needed for those specific functions are stored there. Understanding how this space is utilized will make it easier to establish dedicated zones and supplies for each activity. Be sure to also create proper storage to manage and maintain a clutter-free home. Make it larger with lighting Clearing a small home of its clutter will automatically make it seem larger. However, the illusion of more space can also be enhanced with proper lighting. The right lighting will also play a big role in helping create a more charming feel. Recessed lighting is visually appealing and perfect for small spaces. You can also affect a room’s lighting with low-cost or no-cost solutions that make the most of the space’s built-in features. For example, highlight windows instead of covering them, or make the fireplace a focal point. Add charming details Woodwork is another simple embellishment that adds instant character and charm without affecting usable space. A chair rail, crown molding, or even baseboards can help take a standard room and outline it with interesting architectural elements. By managing clutter, using lighting to create bright and airy spaces and incorporating simple architectural elements, you can easily transform a cramped area into a charming and inviting room that you – or a potential buyer – can enjoy. Source: ClosetMaid
HOME SECURITY TIPS TO LIVE BY Did you know that every 15.4 seconds, a burglary occurs somewhere across the United States? If you’re a victim, your family may be left feeling vulnerable and violated. So can you protect your home and loved ones? Well, you should first understand some things about this crime. WHEN & HOW DO BURGLARIES OCCUR? The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when residents are away from their house, most likely when they’re at work or school. Home theft is most frequent in the months of July and August, and the fewest burglaries occur in February. According to the FBI, 70 percent of home burglars use some amount of force to enter a residence, but their preference is through an open door or window. Also, you may be surprised to know that homes are not randomly selected. Burglars look for unoccupied homes with the easiest access, greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes. Fortunately, there are ways you can minimize your risk to keep your family and belongings safe. Here’s how to make your home look unattractive to burglars.
Source: Crime Doctor
1. DOORS & LOCKS
3. LIGHTING
The more difficult that your home is to break into, the less likely burglars will want to put forth the effort. The FBI recommends using high quality Grade-1 or Grade-2 locks on your exterior doors to resist twisting, prying, and lock-picking attempts. Consider implementing these additions in your home:
Keeping a couple interior lights on gives burglars the message that someone is home. If you don’t have one already, light timers are super inexpensive and easy to find. Use a light timer (even when you’re not on vacation) near the front and back windows behind closed curtains. You should also follow these rules:
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Solid core or metal door for all entrances
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Exterior lighting should allow 100 feet of visibility
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Quality, heavy duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt
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Use good lighting along the pathway and at your door
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Quality, heavy duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
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Use light timers or photo-cells to turn on/off lights automatically
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Heavy duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
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Use infrared motion sensor lights on the rear of single family homes
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Wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches
4. ALARM SYSTEMS
2. WINDOWS It is much more common to leave a window open or unlocked than a door. If the burglar sees a home from down the street that has an open window, they will commonly choose that home to burglarize. •
Secure all accessible windows with secondary blocking devices
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Block accessible windows open no more than 6 inches for ventilation
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Make sure you can’t reach through an open window and unlock the door
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Make sure you can’t reach inside the window and remove the blocking device
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Anti-lift devices to prevent window from being lifted out
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Crime prevention or alarm decals on ground or on windows that are within reach
If used properly and consistently, alarm systems add a huge benefit to your home’s overall security. As a matter of fact, burglars will often give up on trying to break into a home if it has visible alarm signs in the lawn or decals on the window.
5. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS When it comes to the safety of your home, it’s important that you establish some sort of communication and trust with your neighbors. Good neighbors will watch out for your home when you’re away, and can let you or the police know about any suspicious activity going on. Remember to always keep safety first, communicate, and stay informed!
6 GOOD CREDIT HABITS OF BUYERS AND RENTERS Your credit score has a critical impact on your housing options, and healthy credit is essential to buying a home or renting one. “An important step to finding a home, whether you’re renting or buying, is ensuring that you have a good credit history,” says Frank Keating, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA). “A strong credit score can open doors to better homes and lower mortgage rates.” To build a good credit history, the ABA recommends adopting these habits.
Request a copy of your credit report–and make sure it is correct. Your credit report illustrates your credit performance, and it needs to be accurate so that you can apply for other loans, such as a mortgage. Everyone is entitled to receive a free copy of his or her credit report annually from each of the three credit reporting agencies, but you must go through the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www. AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877322-8228. Note that you may have to pay for the numerical score itself.
your bills in full each month. You often can increase your scores by limiting your charges to 30 percent or less of a card’s limit.
Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed. Keep this in mind the next time a retailer offers you 10 percent off if you open an account. If you need a new line of credit, don’t jump at the first appealing offer; compare rates and fees offered through mail solicitation, on the Internet or at your local bank.
Set up automatic bill pay.
Don’t close old paid-off accounts.
Payment history makes up 32 percent of your VantageScore credit score and 35 percent of your FICO credit score. The more you pay your bills on time, the better your score. Avoid missed payments by setting as many of your bills as possible to automatic pay.
According to FICO, closing accounts can never help your score and can in fact damage it.
Keep balances low on credit cards and ‘revolving credit.’ Racking up big balances can hurt your scores, regardless of whether you pay Source: ABA.com
Talk to credit counselors if you’re in trouble. Using legitimate, non-profit credit counseling can help you manage your debt and won’t hurt your credit score. For more information on debt management, contact the National Foundation for Consumer Credit by visiting www.NFCC.org.
—A s h e v i lle—
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Your Lawn Care To-Do List
Every great kitchen starts with great design. Whether you favor clean, contemporary lines or err on the side of traditional, trends today draw inspiration from global sources, incorporating cultural influences from around the world while balancing the practical needs of families. To add worldly flair to your kitchen, start by:
Taking the time to care for your lawn will offer a huge pay off in the long run. Efficient lawn care and lush landscaping helps to increase the overall value of your home. You’ll be glad you did when selling time comes around!
1. Fertilizing Providing nutrients to your lawn is good for strengthening roots and increasing the nutrients stored no matter what time of year. It is a good rule of thumb to apply fertilizer about 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes so plants can start to take up some of the nutrients. While the top growth of grass stops, grass plants are storing nutrients and energy for the next season.
2. Aerating Aerating is the process of removing plugs of soil and thatch from the lawn. It encourages deep rooting, improves water and nutrient penetration, and promotes growth of beneficial soil microorganisms.
3. Mulching If you prefer not to rake or bag grass or leaves, mulching with a mower is an ideal alternative. Be sure to mulch leaves only when they are dry to avoid damp and wet leaves clumping or building up under mower decks.
4. Composting Creating a compost pile allows you to turn organic material into rich soil. Create a compost pile with decaying yard matter, such as vegetables, grass clippings and leaves, which can provide nutrientrich soil for spring planting. For best results, alternate layers of “brown,” or high carbon materials, with grass clippings.
Taking these steps will prepare your lawn for selling season. You’ll have the best curb appeal on the block! This landscaping tip brought to you by:
The Grounds Guys
828-348-7900 Asheville.GroundsGuys.com
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