Real Estate 101 - RealtyHive Blog

Take It or Leave It: What You Need to Know about Real Estate Fixtures

April 11, 2018/0 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

Close your eyes and pretend you’ve sold your home and are getting ready to move out. Imagine your living room. You see the empty space where your couch was, the blank space where the television was mounted, and the bare windows once covered by full curtains. Wait a minute, make that a nearly blank space where the tv was and the almost bare windows because unless you included it in your selling agreement, the wall mount for your television needs to stay as do any blinds and curtain rods. You can take the curtains, though! Seem strange? Welcome to the wild world of real estate fixtures!

What is a Fixture?

When you hear the word fixture, what do you think of? Most people associate things chandeliers or track lights or plumbing fixtures like faucets, sinks, toilets, but in the real estate contract world a “fixture” is typically considered an item of property which is physically attached to or so closely associated with land or buildings so as to be treated as part of the real estate.

While this varies on a state-by-state basis, this can include, without limitation, physically attached items not easily removable without damage to the premises, items specifically adapted to the premises, and items customarily treated as fixtures. This is where working with an experienced real estate agent can be really beneficial because they can help navigate what is considered a fixture and write a contract that will allow you to keep or sell what you want.

What are some examples of Fixtures?

Fixtures can be found inside and outside your home. Outdoor fixtures include, but are not limited to:

Garden bulbs
Plants
Shrubs and Trees
In-ground sprinkler system and component parts
Fences
In-ground pet containment system (but not the collars)
Storage buildings on permanent foundations
Docks/piers on permanent foundations
Attached antennas and satellite dishes
Awnings

Indoor Fixtures can be items such as:

screen and storm doors and windows
electric lighting fixtures
window shades
curtain and traverse rods
blinds and shutters
central heating and cooling units and attached equipment
water heaters, water softeners and treatment systems
sump pumps
attached or fitted floor coverings
audio/visual wall mounting brackets (but not the audio/visual equipment)
garage door openers and remote controls
installed security systems
central vacuum systems and accessories
built-in appliances (like a dishwasher)
ceiling fans

Do I really have to leave all this behind?
The beauty of real estate transactions is that nearly everything is negotiable. If there’s something that holds special meaning for you or you want to bring into your new home (or inversely, something that you want to include in the sale or leave behind) all you need to do is write it into the contract and it’s as good as done.

What about things I rent, not own?
You MUST remember to write into the contract that you will be keeping any rented items. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it can be very easy to forget about something like an L.P. tank or water treatment system. If this is omitted from the purchase contract, you could be held liable to purchase this item from the rental company and give it to the buyer of your property since without an exception written in the contract it should be theirs. This small oversight can be one costly mistake!

One of the best ways to avoid the headaches that can come with selling a home is to enlist the help of a professional real estate agent. In addition to helping you get top dollar for the sale of your home, they can help you navigate the sometimes complex world of real estate law and make sure you’re staying on the right side of the law!

Home for sale in need of listing descriptions

How to Write Listing Descriptions That Don’t Suck

April 10, 2018/2 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

While most real estate agents love working with people and looking at homes, writing listing descriptions tends to be a necessary evil of the job. Some agents can put pen to paper and make it sing, while others can barely strings together a coherent sentence. It can also depend on the home. Some homes have so many great features it’s easy to describe them, but for simple or not-so-nice homes, it can be a real challenge. Here’s how to write a winning listing description.

Make a list of the cool things about the property. What exactly this means will change as you can call out certain features that make this property stand out from others nearby. For this you don’t want to worry about characters or sell-able features this is just to get you up and running. Make sure to pay attention to features both inside and outside the house and think about utility throughout the year (ie don’t forget about a beautiful backyard just because it’s currently covered in snow!)

Exterior Features
-Association Lake (stocked with fish and good for lite recreation)
-Tiered backyard
-Private balcony from suites (2)
-Garage door leading to the backyard
-Sunroom/3 seasons leading to backyard with bar area
-Paver patio
-Right in front of beach area (shared)
-Right in front of the shared dock
-Near tennis courts
-Near firepit
-2 car attached garage

Interior Features
-Skylights
-First-floor laundry
-Tons of windows/light
-Pocket doors for privacy
-Hardwood floors
-Fireplace
-Built ins
-Kitchen with island, lots of storage and counter space
-Bricked/built-in stove area
-Breakfast nook adjacent to kitchen
-Office
-Window seats
-Crown molding
-Ceiling fans
-Some vaulted ceilings
-Closets with built-in shelving
-Finished basement
-5 bedrooms ( 2 are suites)
-5.5 bathrooms

After you’ve got your list together, go through and highlight some of the best, brightest, and most unique. This will be your starting point. To start writing, focus on the interior or exterior (whichever you have more to talk about) and work your way to the other.

This property has a lot of great features inside so we’ll start that.

The beautiful 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath home is full of light and has the perfect balance of private space and room to entertain! Enter through the double front doors and you’ll find a living room, den/office, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast area, and a heated three seasons room overlooking the spectacular backyard. Each room has special features and upgrades from the brick fireplace in the living room to the dry bar in the three seasons room to the built-ins throughout. The chef in your life will love the kitchen with ample storage and counter space as well as the brick alcove which houses the gas stove, separate oven, and more storage.

Then move to the other areas of the home. If it’s a single story or very basic home, you may not even need this part.

Near the kitchen, you’ll find the first-floor laundry/mud room with access to backyard as well as a secondary staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms. The second story features two suites, a Master suite and Mother-in-Law on opposite ends of the home, each with a private balcony. Master also includes a fireplace and jetted tub with separate stand-alone shower. Also located on the second floor are additional bedrooms, bathroom, and common area with skylights which overlooks the backyard.

Follow up with a little about exterior (or interior, whichever you haven’t already covered).

You’ll enjoy the paver patio with covered awning in the back of the home and convenient location just steps from the association-maintained beach, dock, fire pit with seating, and tennis courts. The two car attached garage includes an overhead door leading to the backyard–ideal for easy access!

Now drive it home with any updates or features that sell, but don’t photograph well, like a boring, but finished basement.

This home has been meticulously cared for and updated throughout the years and includes updates to the forced air, radiant heating and central air systems. Also includes hardwood floors with in-floor heat and a finished basement with daylight windows and bar/rec area with wine room.

There is no reason to finish with a “This is a must-see!” or “Won’t last long!” or any other jargon or overused call to action terms. While these used to stand out, now they just sound dated and get skipped right over.

Perfect! You now have a unique and creative listing description, but it’s a bit long. If you’re dealing with a listing site that has a character limit, you’re going to have to tighten it up. First, copy your full listing description.

The beautiful 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath home is full of light and has the perfect balance of private space and room to entertain! Enter through the double front doors and you’ll find a living room, den/office, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast area, and a heated three seasons room overlooking the spectacular backyard. Each room has special features and upgrades from the brick fireplace in the living room to the dry bar in the three seasons room to the built-ins throughout. The chef in your life will love the kitchen with ample storage and counter space as well as the brick alcove which houses the gas stove, separate oven, and more storage.

Near the kitchen, you’ll find the first-floor laundry/mud room with access to the backyard as well as a secondary staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms. The second story features two suites, a Master suite and Mother-in-Law on opposite ends of the home, each with a private balcony. Master also includes a fireplace and jetted tub with separate stand-alone shower. Also located on the second floor are additional bedrooms, bathroom, and common area with skylights which overlooks the backyard.

You’ll enjoy the paver patio with covered awning in the back of the home and convenient location just steps from the association-maintained beach, dock, fire pit with seating, and tennis courts. The two car attached garage includes an overhead door leading to the backyard–ideal for easy access!

This home has been meticulously cared for and updated throughout the years and includes updates to the forced air, radiant heating and central air systems. Also includes hardwood floors with in-floor heat and a finished basement with daylight windows and bar/rec area with wine room.

Then go through and highlight the items that can’t be found elsewhere. If characters are limited, there’s no reason to describe things you can obviously see in the pictures or that’s included elsewhere in the listing like the number of bedrooms or square footage. Once you have your best parts highlighted, copy them below, take out all descriptive words (great, beautiful, spacious, etc) and edit to make sense. If you’re still taking space, you can follow these tips for more ruthless editing: 1) Limit number items in a list 2) take out transition words (also, as well as, etc)

full of light and has the perfect balance of private space and room to entertain Each room has special features and upgrades from the brick fireplace in the living room to the dry bar in the three seasons room to the built-ins throughout the first floor laundry/mud room with access to backyard as well as a secondary staircase leading to the second floor bedrooms. The second story features two suites, a Master suite and Mother-in-Law suite on opposite ends of the home, each with a private balcony. Master also includes a fireplace and jetted tub with separate stand-alone shower. Also located on the second floor are additional bedrooms, bathroom, and common area with skylights which overlooks the backyard. enjoy the paver patio with covered awning in the back of the home and convenient location just steps from the association-maintained beach, dock, fire pit with seating, and tennis courts.updates to the forced air, radiant heating and central air systems. Also includes hardwood floors with in-floor heat and a finished basement with daylight windows and bar/rec area with wine room.

Now look what you’re left with and trim as needed.

Full of light with a balance of private space and room to entertain! Each room has upgrades from the dry bar in the three seasons room to the built-ins throughout. First floor laundry/mud room has access to backyard and second story features Master suite and Mother-in-Law suite on opposite ends of the home, each with a private balcony. Paver patio with covered awning in the back of the home is just steps from the association-maintained lake and tennis courts. Updates to forced air, radiant heating and central air systems and has hardwood floors with in-floor heat, finished basement and bar/rec area with wine room.

Congratulations! You have created a listing description that is sure to attract attention! Remember that many sites are keyword-optimized so using terms that people in your area will be searching as well as not abbreviating (when not needed) will be to your advantage. Pair your new and improved listing descriptions with some high-quality photos and you’re sure to see a boost in activity on your property.

5 Things to Ask About Homeowners Associations BEFORE You Buy

April 4, 2018/1 Comment/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

According to the Community Associations Institute, approximately 63 million Americans are a part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), a number that is expected to rise in the coming years. While these HOAs govern nearly 25 million families, many first time homebuyers have never lived in an area controlled by the rules of a homeowners association, often called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). While there are some things that won’t take most residents by surprise or drastically affect your daily life, like a no-glass-by-the-pool rule, there are other things that you don’t want to find out about after you’ve signed the papers for your new home, like a $500/month HOA fee. If you find out that the home you’re looking at is governed by an HOA, here are some things to dig a little deeper into.

Money Matters

Before you even began looking for homes, you probably met with a mortgage loan officer. These professionals help you figure out what you can afford based on your current income and debts and can even help you factor in what your total monthly costs will be when considering tax and insurance payments. If you live in an area where HOAs are common, they will also help you factor that into the calculations, but if these are not common in your area, they can easily be forgotten. These dues average $200-$400 per month, which can put the squeeze on your budget if not planned for. Make sure you find out right away if the home you’re looking at will have this extra expense and adjust your search accordingly.

Ask to see the financials of the HOA before deciding on a property. You should take a look at the last few years (to see what’s been done and how the fund has been managed) as well as the current and any upcoming approved budgets as well as reserves, if possible. This information is important to know because anything that the association is in charge of maintaining/repairing that isn’t in the budget, but is in noticeable disrepair, will either a) not be fixed/maintained/replaced or b) will only be fixed/maintained/replaced through a special assessment.

On this same note, ask if there have been any special assessments in the past (and what for) as well as if there are any planned for the future. A special assessment is essentially a charge for an upgrade that is split by everyone in the HOA be it a community workout facility, sidewalks, or something else. Rather than spread these payments over a period of time by working them into the HOA budget, these are lump sum payments due by every homeowner and can add thousands of dollars (unexpectedly!) to your total cost. Additionally, you’ll want to ask what the history of dues increases are and if the association is planning an increase in the foreseeable future.

You (Sometimes) Get What You Give

While the prospect of paying a fee per month on top of your house payment might sound like an awful arrangement, it can actually still be a financially beneficial situation for you. HOA dues are designed to care for amenities like sidewalks, pools, and other shared spaces, but sometimes they cover services like electricity, internet, or even certain types of insurance as well. Each HOA is different and is ruled by a different set of CC&Rs so it’s important to clearly understand what your dues will go towards and how that can shape your budget.

Know the Rules

One of the best parts of owning your home can be the freedom to decorate, renovate, and personalize as you wish, but if you’re part of an HOA, you might be giving some of that up. Many Homeowner Associations have rules dictating the physical appearance of your home from what style of windows you have to what kind of landscaping you need to where you can store your garbage bins. If you’re not willing or wanting to abide by these rules, then you are better off looking at another property. These restrictions can cover anything from the color scheme of your home to the length of your grass to whether you can keep pets, so it’s very important you know, understand, and agree with their rules.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

You’ll want to also ask about the number of units/homes in your HOA that are owner-occupied, renter-occupied, and unoccupied. Unoccupied properties mean that the HOA budget will most likely underfunded and therefore planned renovations and improvements can be pushed back or will need a special assessment to be funded. Renter-occupied properties are not inherently bad, but may lack the upkeep that an owner-occupant would and some lenders may have require that fewer than 25% of units are renter-occupied. In short, if you’re going to be a part of a Homeowners Association, you should know who you’ll be living and working with.

These are just a few of the considerations when looking at a home located within HOA-governed area. Working with a real estate agent who you trust and who knows the area well will be your best way to avoid any costly and disappointing surprises.

How to Sell Your Home in a Land Far, Far Away

March 28, 2018/0 Comments/in Real Estate 101, Win With RealtyHive /by Tristin Zeman

Once upon a time in a land far, far away a lovely family owned a lovely piece of land in the lovely woods. The family built themselves a small cottage where they enjoyed spending their weekends and summers, and although there was no lake for swimming or indoor plumbing, it was their cottage and they loved it.

Over the span of years, the visits grew fewer and farther between. The cottage the family once loved and cherished for the privacy of the surrounding woods now became a hassle that they had to remember to maintain. So the family talked it over and decided the best thing to do would be to sell their beloved cottage, to pass it on to another family to love and make memories. They stuck a “For Sale” sign in the yard of their cottage and waited for a call.

And waited.

And as it turned out, the privacy and solitude that made their cottage such a wonderful place to escape to is the same thing that made it nearly impossible to sell. With so little traffic near their cottage, the home just sat and sat and sat.

If this sounds less like a fairytale and more like trying to sell your deep-in-the-sticks, backwoods property, there are a few things you should try.

One of the real estate rules of thumb is that everything will sell eventually or at a low enough price, but that’s not really an appealing thing to hear when it’s your property and your money. So how can you sell your out-of-the-way home?

Consider Using an Agent
Using a real estate agent could be your best bet for a number of reasons, especially if you don’t live nearby. Working with an agent who specializes in selling real estate in the area means that you won’t have to travel to meet with potential buyers to show them the property. It also means that you may be able to get more money for your property as agents have access to information that helps them price homes and land properly. An agent will also save you the headache (and potential heartache) that can come with a complicated real estate deal.

Post on Social Media Groups
These days there’s a group for just about everything on Facebook. If you’ve got a nice piece of vacant land, there’s probably a hunter’s group with members who would be interested. Have a cabin on a lake? Try adding it to a resale group for towns within a two hour radius. Have a heap-o-junk property that fell into your lap? See if an investor’s group is looking for their next deal. Social media has made the world much smaller and it’s easier than ever to connect with those who might be interested in what you’ve got!

Try Something New
The age of the Internet has had incredible power. If you’d rather not work with an agent or aren’t into the idea of posting on social media, there are a variety of real estate-specific websites that will show your property for little to no cost. Some of these websites are designed to just work as a commercial, blasting out property information to anyone who is looking, while others will help you through the sales process and others will offer to buy your home right then and there. If you’re looking for the biggest impact-for-money, consider a reserve auction. This type of auction allows sellers to retain control, only parting with the property if an acceptable bid is placed meaning you can choose to sell or hold, depending on the situation. To learn more about how real estate auctions work, click here.

Get it Write: How to create the perfect listing description

March 19, 2018/1 Comment/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

Whether it’s a single-family home that completely neglects to mention what’s on the second floor or a land listing that mentions nothing of the property and only talks about the nearby community, we’ve all seen listings that you wonder what the agent was thinking. Real estate agents tend to be excellent talkers and networking champs which makes them great salespeople in face to face interactions, but with so much of life moving into the digital realm, is it possible translate your natural charisma into your online listings? Here’s an easy formula to write a winning listing description.

Use the Right Words
Many sites like Zillow can be searched by keyword meaning that if a home has a pool, loft, Jack-and-Jill bathroom, or any other special feature and you don’t have it called out in your listing description, you’re missing an opportunity to be found! Having pictures of these features will definitely help boost interest once someone is actually viewing your listing, but the keywords is how you get them there.

As important as it is to have keywords, it’s important to keep in mind what the right keywords are. Is it a wardrobe or a closet? A butler’s pantry or a larder? One of the biggest ways this can trip up even the most experienced agents is when brands become almost synonymous with their product ie. a Jacuzzi® is a type of jetted bath or hot tub.

Focus on Reality
Sure, there might be potential for a shed or you could add in some fruit trees or any number of a million other possibilities, but a listing description should focus on what is there currently (or is planned, in development properties), not what could be. If the yard isn’t landscaped or the basement is unfinished, you can mention that it’s got “tons of potential” but throwing out ideas is essentially wasting your (text) breath.

Cut the Fluff
While text that promotes imagery is evocative and interesting when reading fiction, your listing descriptions should be based in fact. By focusing on the “crystal clear turquoise waters lapping at the shore just feet from the expansive deck while you watch the blazing sunset” you’ve used up valuable character space (and attention) that could have been used to differentiate this property from the three next to it that offer the exact same features.

Less is More
Please use all the text you need to talk about the features and amenities a property has but don’t use any more than that. Attention spans are short and good pictures will have more impact than any description ever will. After you write your description, reread and edit it. If you’ve already said the home is built for entertaining you don’t need to reiterate that the deck is perfect for entertaining guest.

Flipping Crazy: What to know before getting into property flipping

March 14, 2018/2 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

From Fixer-Upper to Flip or Flop reality television is filled with shows that make real estate investment look like a breeze. You just find a sad looking home, swing a hammer a couple times, have an open house and Viola!– a nice profit appears and you’re ready to start the process again. Unfortunately, in real life there are a couple more steps and a lot more dirty hands that go into flipping a home, but it can be a lucrative business if you’re willing to put in the hard work. Here’s what you need to consider before getting into investment property renovation aka house flipping.

Money Talks
To flip a house you need to have a house and in a tight housing market, this could be your biggest challenge. Ideally, you’ll have enough cash to outright buy the home you’re planning to flip, but for most people this isn’t realistic, especially in their first endeavor. Traditional mortgages and loans typically don’t work in this scenario either, at least not with current market conditions, as these require inspections and often contingencies that investors with cash in hand don’t.

If you’re serious about getting into property investing before you have the funds necessary to buy a home with cash, there are a few ways around this. While you should always consult with a professional to find the solution that will work best for you, there are options including revolving credit lines, hard money loans, or even private lenders.

It may seem strange to worry about the finance side of things before you even look for a house, but trust that this is the cornerstone of everything else to come.

Keep an eye–and ear– out
If funding the purchase seems like the hardest part of flipping a home, wait until it comes time to find the home. The real estate market is ON FIRE in certain parts of the United States right now. In some places it’s hard to even find a small starter home for less than $1 million, while in others everything under $200,000 is flying off the shelves. So how can you find your first project home?

One of the best options is to consider your personal network. Has Granny decided to move to Florida for good or have your neighbors mentioned they’re planning to sell their two story Victorian for a ranch where they can age more comfortably? Knowing about these deals before an agent or your competition does will be vital to your success.

If you go through your contacts and still don’t have any leads, it’s also a good idea to check online auction sites and postings for a Sheriff’s Sale. Most of these auctions sell these properties as-is, where-is so you won’t get the luxury of really understanding the scope of work to be done, but they may be your best chance to score a deal.

Be Realistic
The magic of television makes it easy to think that with just a few coats of fresh paint and a couple of new fixtures you can have a nice $100,000 profit on your hands. Unfortunately, that’s not quite how things work. When devising your budget for renovating a home, you’ll have to consider what needs to be done, who will do it, and what it will cost.
If you’re very handy, you may be able to tackle a lot of the project yourself,although keep in mind that your time also has a dollar value attached to it, so add that to your financial plan accordingly! If you’re planning to hire a contractor to do the work for you, make sure that is budgeted in your plan as well and in either case, budget for at least 15% more than you think you’ll need because things tend to run slow or over cost.

Stay Focused
When you’re tackling a house flipping project, time is money. Every day that you have the property is a day that you’re losing money. Taxes will have to be paid, as will utilities, and potentially HOA fees. The faster you can complete your renovations and sell your property, the more money you’ll be able to keep. Staying focused is also very important while making decisions during the renovation. Keep in mind that while you might love the look of intricate hand-stamped walls, the future buyer might just be thinking of how they can cover it up. Don’t spend time or money on things that don’t add value or up the selling price.

Find a Mentor
Above all, one of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to enlist a mentor. If you can find someone in your area who is already into property rehab, they will be your biggest source of knowledge and information. They’ll be able to key you in to what kind of margins you can expect, connect you to the right contacts to sell your property, and allow you to learn from their (usually costly) mistakes before you make them on your own.

3 Reasons You Need Life Insurance for Your Mortgage

February 28, 2018/0 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

“ In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

There are many cliches about being prepared. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. The list goes on. Some things are really easy to prepare for. You know you have to prepare for the future by saving money for a new car, house, or retirement. You have to prepare your kids for school by teaching them to read or write. You know you have to prepare a will so that your wishes can be granted upon your death. But as another cliche goes, you can never be too prepared.

While many people have heard of or have invested in life insurance, not many know about mortgage life insurance, yet this could be the best way to protect your family and prepare for what happens in the event that something happens to you. Here’s why you should consider enrolling in a mortgage life insurance policy.

Lose your ability to work, keep your home

Mortgage life insurance is designed to help cover the cost of a home mortgage in the event that the person covered becomes disabled or dies. Since many families depend on two income earners to be able to afford their mortgage and other bills, it can be tough if not impossible to maintain this standard of living in the absence of one earner.

Provide stability in an uneasy time

If you have children, losing a parent can be one of the hardest, most traumatic experiences imaginable. Now combine that with having to move from your home because your surviving parent can’t afford the house you’re living in. While regular life insurance can be used to cover any type of expense, including mortgages, mortgage life insurance is specifically intended to only pay for your mortgage and can be combined with other forms of life insurance so that your family’s whole financial well-being is cared for.

Provide peace of mind

Most people would choose to pay their home off if they could so that they’d never have to worry about what happens if they’re no longer able to support their family, but that’s not always doable. Mortgage life insurance can give you the peace of mind that your family will be taken care of and the costs can be affordable at less than $1 per day.

Mortgage life insurance can be a great solution for your needs and is offered by most major insurance companies. To learn more about coverages, premium, and plans contact your trusted insurance agent.

Color Me Happy: Using Color to Effect the Mood of Your Home

February 22, 2018/0 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Just for Fun, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

Blue
Blue comes in a sea of colors, but whether you think it’s cool as a river or calming as the ocean, this is the color to choose if you’re looking for your home to be a haven.
Effects/Emotions: Relaxing, calming, serene, focus, communication
Best Use: Bedrooms, offices, hallways
Rooms to Avoid: Gym–the calming nature of blue isn’t great for high-intensity workouts

Yellow
There’s nothing mellow about yellow! This sunshine-y shade works great throughout homes and can be used as an unexpected alternative to a pure white without being overwhelming.
Effects/Emotions: Lively, Energetic, Cheery, Sunny
Best Use: Entertaining areas and public spaces like the kitchen, dining room, bathrooms and living/family room
Rooms to Avoid: Bedrooms

Orange
Orange is a very boisterous color and can be an unexpected hue for decor, but when done correctly sets a great tone for the rest of the room. While it’s often used as an accent color because of the attention-grabbing nature, tones such as terracotta and burnt sienna have been very popular in the United States southwest decor for ages.
Effect/Emotions: Warm, energizing, exciting, creative, social, confidence
Best Use: Bar areas, kitchens, patios, gyms
Rooms to Avoid: Bedrooms

White
Pure as the driven snow. Bridal white. Pearly white. White is heavily linked to cleanliness and freshness which makes it the perfect canvas for any other colors or a powerful color to leave on it’s own. The difficulty of keeping a crisp white color in decor has also led to the association with class, privilege, and luxury.
Effects/Emotions: Purity, Clarity, Thoughtfulness, Openness
Best Use: All rooms. This blank canvas is a great way to layer in other colors without being too overwhelming or can be used on its own for a clean, pure aesthetic.

Green
With many shades of green from lime to forest, you can find a green for any room with the darker hues having a classy, rich feel and light shades eliciting sunny emotions like near-spectrum yellow.
Effects/Emotions: Balance, harmony, tolerance, understanding, connection, fresh
Best Use: All rooms, depending on shade
Rooms to Avoid: Avoid bright, lime shades in bedrooms as they take on the qualities of yellow rooms

Turquoise
Turquoise is the unofficial color of the tropics for good reason–it’s easy, breezy, yet fun and effervescent nature is perfect for anywhere you want the “Don’t worry, be happy” vibe of the islands to follow!
Effects/Emotions: Cool, calm, healing, happy, peaceful
Best Rooms: Bedrooms, bathrooms, yoga studios, dens
Rooms to Avoid: Gyms or anywhere high energy is needed

Pink
Pink is the color of cotton candy, bubblegum, and all things baby girl so it makes sense that this fun, lighthearted color is the perfect choice anywhere you want to keep the mood light and tension down.
Effects/Emotions: Playful, nurturing, love, sweet, dissolves anger
Best uses: Bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms
Rooms to Avoid: Office, library, or anywhere directness and focus are required

Black
Traditional design wisdom says to avoid ink-colored walls, but black is surprisingly versatile and elegant when used as an accent wall or in purposeful ways. Be sure to pay close attention to the finish and texture of the walls in your room, though, lest you end up with an unintended Addams Family aesthetic.
Effects/Emotions: power, reflection, class, drama, protection
Best uses: Kitchen, living/family room, dining rooms, foyers
Rooms to Avoid: Rooms without windows (unless you’re going for a cave-feel)

Red
Red hot, firecracker, scarlet letter: Red has long been associated with heat, passion, and competitiveness. In fact, teams with red uniforms are statistically more likely to win at any given challenge or competition than those wearing any other color. In many Asian cultures, red is the color of luck, making it a great choice for the home.
Effects/Emotions: Energy, power, strength, heat, stimulates appetite
Best Use: Kitchens, dining rooms, bar areas, theaters, office
Rooms to Avoid: yoga room, spa, patio or other relaxing areas

Purple
The high cost of indigo traditionally meant that the color purple was reserved for nobility, but today all can enjoy this beautiful hue. Ranging from lilac to plum, all purples are a mix of calming blue and fiery red which means you can find a purple shade to fit any room or purpose you desire!
Effects/Emotions: Spirituality, luxury, ambition, royalty
Best Use: Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Closets
Rooms to Avoid: None, depending on shade

Radon Gas: What you don’t know could kill you!

February 21, 2018/0 Comments/in Ideas & Advice, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

Most people spend the majority of their time at home so it’s important to have a home that is both comfortable and safe. While smoke detectors have been a staple in American homes for years and carbon monoxide alarms have been required in any home built after July 1, 2008, there’s another highly dangerous, extremely common danger that many homeowners ignore: Radon gas.

While many people know of radon gas and the potential dangers associated with it, many have never heard of it until they’re ready to buy or sell a home. Natural levels of radon are highest in the majority of the Midwest and Plains state, but high radon levels can be found from Washington to North Carolina. Some state have laws that require a home seller or real estate agent to disclose any known radon information about a property, but no states have laws requiring the testing before the sale of a property. Whether you’re buying or selling a home (or just living in one!) here’s what you need to know!

What is Radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. By breathing in radon, you’re increasing your chances of lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, causng 21, 000 deaths each year.

Where does it come from?
Radon gas is a product of the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Typically it moves up through the ground to the air above and into homes through cracks and other holes in the foundation, but it can also enter through well water.

Who should test?
Everyone. Homes all over the US have been found with radon issues and the US Surgeon General suggests testing all homes below the third floor for radon. There are two versions of the test, a long one which spans more than 90 days and a shorter version that can be completed in 2-90 days. You can find professional to conduct the test for you or there are simple kits to test as well. If you’re planning to do the testing yourself, make sure you buy a kit that includes the lab testing in the price or you’ll have to pay another fee to have it processed.

I have a new home, I’m safe, right?
Nope. All homes should be tested. Whether your home is old and draft or new and airtight, this gas can slip in and do its damage to your air quality. Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the US is estimated to have elevated radon levels above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) which is the Environmental Protection Agency considers to be a high-risk level of exposure.

I’m selling my home. What should I do?
Some states require disclosure of any known radon testing results. A potential buyer may ask for a new test if the EPA’s Radon Testing Checklist items were not met, the last test took place more than two years prior, you have renovated or altered your home since the test, or the buyer plans to use a lower level than you tested such as a basement. States that require disclosure of previous test findings include: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kanas, Maryland, Mine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. More information about laws regarding testing and disclosures can be found here.

I’m buying a home. Should I ask for a test?
It’s always a good idea to ask for a test if possible. If there has been a previous test done you can accept the results of prior radon tests or ask the seller to perform a new one to be conducted by a qualified tester. Before accepting previous results, keep in mind that results can differ based on who conducted the test, where in the home the test was conducted, and if any structural changes occurred since the test.

I found high radon levels. What do I do now?
There are a variety of methods to reduce radon in your home. The most basic approach begins with sealing cracks and other holes in the foundation, but the EPA recommends taking it a step further with a vent piper and/or fan solution. Often referred to as a “sub-slab depressurization system” these do not require major changes to your home and can help prevent radon gas from entering your home from below the floor/foundation. Radon mitigation specialists will be able to help you find the best solution based on the design of your home and other factors.

Radon Protection: How Homebuyers can do Their Due Diligence
A home purchase is one of the most significant transactions people go through in their lives. This guide will discuss radon’s natural presence in a home, acceptable radon levels, what protections are available, ways in which a radon issue may be resolved and how to reduce radon levels in a home. Get the guide here.

For more information you can read the EPA’s full Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon here.

White House History: Celebrating the Most Famous Home in the US

February 19, 2018/1 Comment/in Just for Fun, Real Estate 101 /by Tristin Zeman

With up to 100,000 visitors per month, the White House is the most visited residence in the United States. To celebrate President’s Day, we’re taking a look at some of the more interesting facts about the “Presidential Palace”.

Who lived at the White House?

George Washington was the only president to never live in the White House. While he was alive during its construction, he died before its completion. Prior to the construction of the White House, Philadelphia was the nation’s acting capital and wasn’t happy about the impending transition to D.C. The city built its own presidential palace in the 1790s, but Washington refused to stay there, instead opting to stay in other Philly-area residences.

Where is the Cornerstone?

Speaking of the construction, the cornerstone was laid on Saturday, October 13, 1792–but nobody really knows where it is today. According to the story, a group of freemasons met at a Georgetown tavern and paraded to the proposed site of the president’s mansion. In a ceremony, they placed an inscribed cornerstone to mark the start of construction then marched back to the tavern to make a toast. They then repeated their march back to the mansion site and back to the tavern for a total of 16 trips. All this celebrating and toasting meant that no one really documented where the stone actually was.

How much of the White House–is really the White House?

It’s hard to imagine that much has changed to the structure of the White House, but actually very little of the original remains. The British burned the original in 1814 after US forces set fire to Canada’s parliament during the War of 1812. First lady Dolley Madison saved the famous Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington as she was fleeing and some of the exterior stone walls also survived. Unfortunately, this was not the only fire that ravaged the property. A blocked fireplace flue caused another damaging fire on December 24, 1929. President Hoover left a Christmas party to personally direct firefighting efforts.

This was not the only rebuilding effort required by the home. When President Harry S Truman tried to upgrade the White House in 1948, it was nearly condemned! Engineers discovered it was structurally unsound and close to falling down at which point Truman began to reside at the Blair House. It took four years to complete the renovation project. While the structure was opened for rehabilitation efforts, Truman tried to find the missing cornerstone but was without success.

Today anyone interested can visit the White House to see this great home themselves. Public tour requests must be submitted through the guests’ Congressional representative and are awarded on a first come-first served basis. Tours are free of charge, however, all guests aged 18 or older must have a valid, government-issued id. For more information on scheduling a tour, visit the White House Tours & Events page.