Archive for April, 2010
GAS GRILLS ~ Tips for finding the right model for you!
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 | Home Improvements | 3 Comments
Grills priced between $350 and $600 will be large enough to handle food for 15 to 18 people. Image: Weber-Stephen Products Co
There may be no home cooking appliance with a wider price range than the outdoor gas grill. With models starting as low as $29 and climbing to $5,000 and higher, it is an understatement to say there’s is a model for every budget. When shopping for a gas grill, the motto “You get what you pay for” is especially fitting, explains Dan Marguerite, owner of Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Ill. Basement models, he says, offer poor performance, are cheaply constructed, and often fail to survive two summers.
Cost range: $29-$5,000 and up
Likely additional costs: Assembly, natural gas hookup or propane tank, cover
Average life span: 2-16 years
Sub-$50 range
Grills in the sub-$50 range are often of the tabletop propane variety. These units are constructed of thin painted sheet metal and cheaply fabricated components, all but guaranteeing a short lifespan. Brief 90-day warranties don’t offer much of a safety net.
When it comes to power, these grills are positively entry level, says Marguerite. The single, 12,000 BTU burner is satisfactory for grilling hamburgers and hot dogs but will be far less successful at charring a thick porterhouse. Still, when it comes to portability, these grills have no equal. If you are looking for a highly mobile tailgating grill, look to this sector of the market.
$50-$150 range
The biggest differences between a $50 gas grill and a $150 grill will be size and fuel source. Boasting cooking areas over twice that of their less expensive counterparts, these grills are the most economical options for families.
Models in this price range run on liquid propane stored in large refillable tanks (as opposed to the small disposable cylinders). Construction quality is moderate, featuring lightweight steel or aluminum bodies. However, the boost in price over the cheapest gas grill models yields an extra burner (albeit a low-powered one). Most are furnished with thin, steel-rod cooking grates that may warp from exposure to high temperatures, such as those from flare-ups.
$150-$350 range
Marguerite says buyers in this price range can expect to get “middle of the road” power, with burners putting out around 20,000 BTUs. Shoppers should expect a three- or four-burner grill, a roomy cooking surface, and perhaps even a storage cabinet and side burner—a separate burner used for boiling water or other independent cooking chores.
With widths of 20 to 24 inches and boasting around 400 square inches of grill surface, these units can simultaneously cook about two dozen burgers. Homeowners in cool climes who grill year round likely will lament the thin-body construction, says Marguerite. “These grills do a poor job of retaining heat in cold weather,” he says. At this price range, expect less-expensive porcelain-coated steel cooking grates that tend to chip, rust and need replacing at a cost of $30 to $60.
$350-$600 range
Constructed of heavy cast-aluminum or thick-gauge steel, and utilizing high-quality stainless steel burners, these units are built to last. Parts that do fail will be covered by five- to 10-year warranties.
Averaging between 400 and 500 square inches of cook surface, these units are not substantially larger than those in the $150-$350 category. But they are constructed of heavy cast aluminum or thick-gauge steel and utilize multiple high-quality stainless steel burners. Heavy-duty castors and solid-built carts make it easy to move these grills from spot to spot.
Grills in this category can handle enough food for 15 to 18 people. Buyers are urged to select a burner configuration that appeals to them as some models arrange them front-to-back versus side-to-side, which can complicate indirect cooking.
$600-$1,500 range
Units starting around $600 feature burners that reach 40,000 BTUs, power that will make short work of even the largest barbecue payloads. Precision controls and even heat distribution give home cooks the ability to simultaneously sear, cook, and keep food warm. To step up to a 36-inch grill that approaches 900 square inches of cook space, a shopper should expect to spend at least $1,000.
Constructed of high-quality stainless steel throughout, these grills will weather years of use. These first-class rigs often include heavy cast-iron grates, side burners, under-grill storage, and even a rotisserie spit and motor. Buyers also get the peace of mind that comes with improved customer service and best-in-class warranties that range from 10 years on burners to 25 years on the body.
$1,500 to $5,000 range
When you spend upwards of $2,000 on a grill, you’ll get a host of features and quality construction. These appliances boast six or more top-of-the-line burners. Almost standard issue these days is an infrared sear burner that can reach temps topping 700 degrees.
Most include a rear-mounted rotisserie burner with motor, interior and exterior lighting, and even a spring-assisted lid for effortless opening. With the best grills also come the best warranties, typically covering most components for 10 to 25 years.
Propane vs. natural gas
Homeowners should decide before buying a grill whether they intend to fuel it with propane or natural gas, says Marguerite. While many grills can be converted for around $50, it is best to buy one factory engineered for one fuel type or the other.
Owners of built-in units typically choose natural gas as there are no tanks that need filling and the cost to operate is roughly half that of propane. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s most recent figures, propane costs $20.47 per million BTUs compared to natural gas’s $12.18. Assuming a homeowner grilled once a week, he or she can expect to pay about $40 per year for propane and $24 for natural gas. Marguerite says that his company charges $150 plus $7 per foot to connect a grill to a natural gas line.
Suggested extras
A good-fitting cover will extend the life of any outdoor appliance. Expect to pay between $30 and $50. Owners of propane powered grills should consider purchasing a $20 back-up tank so that a fully charged spare is always on hand. A $20 gas gauge will take the guesswork out of estimating a tank’s contents.
Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. As an avid home cook and pit master-in-training, he struggled over the age-old debate of gas versus charcoal grill—so he bought one of each. (Written by Douglas Trattner ~ Houselogic.com )
Home Sales Up ~ Tax Credit to take the Credit…
Monday, April 26th, 2010 | Market News | No Comments
March Existing Home Sales rose 7% from February, and existing home sales were 16% higher than one year ago. March New Home Sales were even better, jumping 27% from February to the highest monthly rate since last July. This marked the largest single-month increase in new home sales since 1963. The chief economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) credited the homebuyer tax credit for the strong March housing data. Buyers must sign a contract by April 30 to take advantage of the tax credit.
1st Quarter Inventory #’s for Dane County Single Family Houses ~
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 | Home Buying, Home Selling, Market News | No Comments
East Madison ~ 613 Memphis Ave http://www.postlets.com/res/3315184
Property $100,000 or less only has a 4.8 month supply on the market = SELLER’s market.
All other price ranges have over a 6 month supply on the market = BUYER’s market.
| # of Homes Sold | # Homes Active | Months of Inventory | # New Listings | |
| Under $100,000 | 24 | 39 | 4.8 | 46 |
| 100,000-149,999 | 63 | 207 | 9.8 | 182 |
| 150,000-174,999 | 69 | 286 | 12.4 | 247 |
| 175,000-199,999 | 76 | 432 | 17 | 358 |
| 200,000-219,999 | 74 | 250 | 10.1 | 253 |
| 220,000-239,999 | 50 | 280 | 16.8 | 259 |
| 240,000-259,999 | 58 | 246 | 12.7 | 337 |
| 260,000-279,999 | 30 | 185 | 18.4 | 177 |
| 280,000-299,999 | 40 | 146 | 10.9 | 122 |
| 300,000-349,999 | 52 | 236 | 13.6 | 197 |
| 350,000-399,999 | 28 | 220 | 23.5 | 157 |
| 400,000-449,999 | 17 | 105 | 18.5 | 76 |
| 450,000-499,999 | 18 | 94 | 15.6 | 64 |
| 500,000-599,999 | 12 | 123 | 30.7 | 76 |
| 600,000-699,999 | 5 | 74 | 44.4 | 40 |
| 700,000-799,999 | 2 | 50 | 75 | 28 |
| 800,000-999,999 | 5 | 58 | 34.8 | 34 |
| 1,000,000-1,499,999 | 4 | 31 | 23.2 | 16 |
| 1,500,000-1,999,999 | 0 | 13 | - | 7 |
| Over 2,000,000 | 0 | 18 | - | 8 |
| Total | 627 | 3093 | 14.8 | 2684 |
Landscaping for Curb Appeal
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 | Home Improvements, Home Selling | 1 Comment
A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value.
A beautiful yard is a head-turner, no doubt about it. The good news is that even if you can’t tell a tulip from a turnip at the garden center, you can still create eye-catching curb appeal by paying attention to the basics of good landscaping. Ignoring your yard—or doing something that’s out of character with the neighborhood—can jeopardize the assessed value of your home.
“We have several categories for design and appeal,“ says Frank Lucco, a real estate agent and professional appraiser in Houston. “That’s where we make those adjustments. Poorly maintained landscaping can be as much as a 5 or 10% deduction.”
Appraisers are quick to praise the allure of a well-tended lawn and good-looking landscaping when it comes time to sell your home, but most do not assign any specific increase in monetary value for upkeep.
“Landscaping is going to add to the appeal of the property and it may sell quicker, but it’s hard to determine value,” says John Bredemeyer, president of Omaha-based Realcorp. “You have to have a number to compensate someone if you drove into their tree and killed it, but is it really market value? Probably not.”
Nevertheless, most professionals agree that curb appeal and a well-maintained appearance prevent your property from losing value. Here are the top suggestions from real estate agents, appraisers, and landscape designers for boosting the curb appeal of your yard:
Green up the grass
If your house has a front yard, make sure it‘s neat & green. You don’t want bare spots, sprawling weeds, or an untrimmed appearance.
“It’s so simple to go to Home Depot, buy fertilizer, apply it every six weeks, and water it,” says Mitch Kalamian, a landscape designer in Huntinginton Beach, Calif. “It will green up.”
If the yard looks really scruffy, you may decide to invest in some sod. According to the National Gardening Association, the average cost of sod is 15 to 35 cents per sq. ft. If you hire a landscaper to sod your yard for you, labor will add 30% to 50% to the total cost of the project.
Another alternative is to plant low-maintenance turf grasses. Turf grasses are durable and drought-resistant. Expect to pay $18 to $30 for enough turf grass seed to plant 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn area.
Add colorful planting beds
Flower beds add color and help enliven otherwise plain areas, such as along driveways and the edges of walkways. In general, annual flowers are a bit cheaper but must be replaced every year. Perennials cost a bit more but come back annually and usually get larger or spread with each growing season.
If you’re not sure what to plant, inquire at your local garden center. Often, they’ll have a display of bedding plants chosen for their adaptability to your area. Also, they‘ll be inexpensive because they’re in season, says Peter Mezitt, president of Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Mass. Try pansies in the summer, and asters and mums in the fall to add vibrant color. “That’s what we do around the entrance to our garden center,” Mezitt says.
Valerie Torelli, a California REALTOR® who dresses up her clients’ yards to sell their houses faster and for more money, says that in her market, she can put in a bed of colorful annuals and bark, as well as cutting down overgrown shrubs, for less than $500. “We can buy gorgeous plants for $3.99 to $15.99,” she says.
Add landscape lighting
For homeowners who have made a sizeable investment in landscaping, it makes sense to think about adding another 10% to 15% to the bill for professional lighting. “You can’t see landscaping after dark,“ says Brandon Stephens, vice president of marketing for a landscape lighting firm in Lubbock, Texas, “and buyers are not always looking at houses on a Saturday afternoon.”
The cost of a system runs from $200 for a DIY installation to more than $4,000 for a professional job. If you‘re doing it on your own, the key is to light what you want people to see, such as mature trees and flowering shrubs.
Plant a tree
The value of mature trees is particularly difficult to determine. Lucco says that in his market, mature trees contribute as much as 10% of a $100,000 property’s overall value. In addition, a properly placed shade tree can shave as much as $32 a year on your energy bills. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a young, 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree.
You can make your own initial assessment of the value of your property’s trees by visiting the National Tree Benefit Calculator. For example, a mature Southern red oak tree with a diameter of 36 inches in the front yard of a house in Augusta, Ga., would add $70 to the property value this year, according to the calculator.
Georgia-based freelance writer Pat Curry writes extensively about housing and real estate for consumer and trade publications. While a fair hand at remodeling, she is hopeless as a gardener. As a result, her landscaping is made up of plants that thrive on neglect. (Written by Pat Curry)
Inventories Rise as Tax Credit Expiration Nears
Thursday, April 15th, 2010 | Home Buying, Home Selling, Market News | No Comments
The government’s real estate tax credit program is set to expire April 30, 2010. To receive the $8,000 first time home buyer credit, or the $6500 current home owner credit, buyers must have an offer with an acceptance date of not later than April 30, and must be closed by June 30. That means the next three months will be very interesting on many fronts. New listings have been coming on the market at a very rapid rate. We presume this means that sellers who were unsuccessful last year, or reluctant to even try, are now giving it a shot in a better market. This pent up selling pressure has increased inventories over the first quarter of 2010. However, the pace of closings during that period has been relatively slow, not much better than a year ago at this time. Based on our accepted offer experience so far this year, that’s about to change. We expect April closings to run well ahead of a year ago, and the expiring tax credit should ensure that closings stay robust through June. That should go a long way toward bringing inventories back down. The big question is: then what?
As we move through the next three months, we’ll keep you posted on how the market is adapting to life after the tax credit. Our sense is that the falloff won’t be as dramatic this time as it was last fall, but only time will tell. Stay tuned.
Home prices showing signs of strength
Thursday, April 8th, 2010 | Home Buying, Home Selling, Market News | No Comments
A surprisingly strong rebound in California’s real estate market helped lift a key home price index for the eighth month in a row.
That’s good news for people who plan to sell their homes this spring. Prices are now up almost 4 percent from the bottom in May 2009, but still almost 30 percent below the May 2006 peak.
Prices rose 0.3 percent from December to January on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released Tuesday. Prices increased in 12 cities in the index.
Buyers are “seeing that prices are creeping up,” said Tony Middleton, a real estate agent with ZIP Realty who concentrates on the San Fernando Valley. “They’re losing bids on homes and they have to bid again.”
Prices in San Diego, meanwhile, rose by almost 0.9 percent. Phoenix had the third-largest gain at 0.8 percent.
Compared with the same month last year, the 20-city index was off just 0.7 percent from last year at a reading of 146.32. That was the smallest decline in almost three years and in line with analysts’ expectations, according to Thomson Reuters.
Rising home prices also could boost consumer optimism. For most Americans, their home is their largest asset, so as values climb from the depths of the housing bust, homeowners feel wealthier and more comfortable spending. And, for homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth, rising prices rebuild equity.
Consumer confidence rebounded in March after a February plunge, according to a survey released Tuesday. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 52.5 in March, recovering about half of the nearly 11 points it lost in February.
Still, shoppers remain cautious and there are signs that last year’s housing rebound won’t last. Home sales sank during the winter, and government incentives that have propped up the market are ending.
Another reason for the positive news is simply that the Case-Shiller index measures a three-month average of home prices. So January’s report includes November’s strong home sales.
Many analysts expect that the Case-Shiller number will eventually turn downward.
“It is only a matter of time before the index records a double-dip in prices,” wrote Paul Dales, U.S. economist with Capital Economics, who forecasts a 5 percent drop. The market will be tested in the second half of the year, he wrote, when a tax credit that has boosted sales is gone.
The Case-Shiller index measures home price increases and decreases relative to prices in January 2000. The base reading is 100; so a reading of 150 would mean that home prices increased 50 percent since the beginning of the index. (NEW YORK – Alan Zibel, Associated Press)
Spring Market Picking Up
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 | Home Buying, Home Selling, Market News | 1 Comment
While it hasn’t shown up in the closing numbers yet, the spring market is clearly kicking into gear. The pace of offers has continued to accelerate throughout March, and assuming it keeps up, we should have a month similar to March of 2008, maybe better. While it will have to continue to accelerate to get to the pace of 2007, it’s not out of the question, and that would be welcome indeed. Closings for March will not be overly impressive, although they’ll continue to run 20-30% ahead of last year, and we think you’ll start to see very good numbers there starting in April and continuing through June. The price levels continue to favor the lower end of the market, and there continues to be debate over how much the tax credit, set to expire on April 30, is driving sales. We won’t really know the answer to that question until May, so stay tuned. Our guess is that it’s still having some effect, but not as dramatic as last year.
Sellers are certainly being motivated to take advantage of the current environment, with listings estimated to be up nearly 30% from last year. We’ll be able to judge better at the end of the month whether active inventories have risen overall compared to last year, but if the pace of sales continues, they’ll start to reduce again quickly in a month or two.
Prices continue to hold firm across the board, becoming firmer the lower you go in the price spectrum. Record low interest rates are still in place. The opportunity to enter the market on the most favorable terms remains.
April Fool’s Day!
Thursday, April 1st, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
April Fools Day is celebrated in a variety of countries. In France children will tape a picture of a fish onto the backs of their friends and yell “Poisson d’Avril” which means April Fish. In Scotland, April Fools Day is celebrated for two days and pranks are typically geared towards the bottom and it’s said that the origin of the “kick me” sign can be traced back to Scotland. The U.K. only celebrates April Fools Day in the morning as they believe it is bad luck to play jokes in the afternoon. Fools are known as “gobs” and victims of jokes are called “noodles.” In Portugal, April Fools Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.
SOURCE: Examiner.com